On 16 December 2025, the Europeans For Artsakh Platform held its regular zoom meeting, bringing together representatives of 14 Armenian communities from across Europe, including Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. The meeting focused on recent developments in Armenia, in particular the offensive actions of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan against the Armenian Apostolic Church and its elected spiritual leader, Catholicos Karekin II.
The meeting, which lasted more than three hours, began with a briefing by Reverend Diradur of the Armenian Church in Germany on the current situation. This was followed by an in-depth discussion among the representatives of the 14 European Armenian communities, who expressed grave concern over the attack by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on the Armenian Apostolic Church and Catholicos Karekin II, as well as the broader erosion of democratic norms and institutions in Armenia. The participants unanimously reaffirmed their unwavering support for the Armenian Apostolic Church and its spiritual leader, while emphasizing that continued escalation would have devastating consequences for both Armenia and the Diaspora.
Another major theme of the discussion concerned the recent statements by EU High Representative Kaja Kallas
The Europeans For Artsakh Platform assesses the attack on the Armenian Apostolic Church by the Prime Minister within the broader context of the Church’s steadfast position on the plight of Armenians from Artsakh, who were forcefully deported from their ancestral lands as a result of Azerbaijan’s genocidal policies. The Armenian Apostolic Church and its spiritual leader, Catholicos Karekin II, maintain a clear and uncompromising stance on Artsakh, firmly grounded in fundamental human rights and international law. Catholicos Karekin II continues to demand the right of return of all Artsakh Armenians to their ancestral homes, an end to the destruction of Artsakh’s cultural and religious heritage, and the immediate release of all Armenian hostages illegally detained by Azerbaijan and subjected to sham trials.
By contrast, the current Armenian leadership claims to pursue peace while adopting a compromising approach on these core issues, as Azerbaijan repeatedly introduces new and unacceptable demands at the negotiating table, rendering any genuine and sustainable peace unattainable.
The Europeans For Artsakh Platform will continue to closely monitor developments and raise these concerns in its engagements with European Union officials and institutions.