Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has received an invitation to attend the European Political Community (EPC) meeting, slated to be held on May 4 in Yerevan, the capital of Armenia. This organization was established to facilitate strategic convergence, cooperation, dialogue, and coordination among European nations.
Building the Future: Unity and Resilience in Europe
The meeting, themed “Building the Future: Unity and Resilience in Europe,” will be co-chaired by European Council President António Costa and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. According to a report by BBC’s Turkish service, the meeting takes place amidst profound geopolitical changes. Its primary topics will include enhancing democratic resilience, strengthening connections, and bolstering economic and energy security.
Erdoğan’s Past EPC Engagements
Turkey participated in the inaugural EPC summit, which took place on October 6, 2022, in Prague, Czech Republic. President Erdoğan also attended subsequent meetings in Budapest, Hungary, on November 7, 2024, and in Tirana, Albania, on May 16, 2025. He was also invited to meetings in Spain and Moldova in 2023, and in the UK and Denmark in 2024, but did not attend those events.
Uncertainty Surrounds Erdoğan’s Attendance
As of now, there has been no official statement from Turkey regarding Erdoğan’s participation in the Yerevan meeting. A representative of the European Union stated, “It is too early to say whether Erdoğan will participate. The list of participants has not yet been finalized. His participation will be clarified in the coming days.”
It is emphasized that if Erdoğan does not attend the Yerevan summit, Turkey will not be represented, as the rules stipulate that only heads of state and government can participate. Representation at ministerial or lower levels is not permitted.
Significance Amidst Armenia-Turkey Normalization
The BBC highlights that this meeting is particularly noteworthy given the ongoing efforts to normalize relations between Turkey and Armenia. The European Union, which supports the full normalization of relations between the two countries, believes that “the stable course of the Armenian-Turkish normalization process reflects a broader positive dynamic taking root in the region.” According to the EU, this dynamic is vital for long-term peace and stability.
EU’s Role in Regional Stability
The EU’s continued support for the normalization process underscores its commitment to fostering stability and cooperation in the South Caucasus region. The potential presence of President Erdoğan in Yerevan would mark a significant step in these efforts, offering a platform for high-level dialogue and further strengthening regional ties. The outcome of this meeting and Erdoğan’s decision on attendance are keenly awaited by international observers, as they could have substantial implications for the future of Armenia-Turkey relations and broader European geopolitical dynamics.
The European Political Community serves as a crucial forum for leaders across the continent to discuss pressing issues and coordinate responses to shared challenges, ranging from security to economic stability. The Yerevan summit is expected to reinforce these objectives, fostering a more unified and resilient Europe.
