YEREVAN – – EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos stated that the peace process between Armenia and Azerbaijan is important not only for the two countries but also for the broader region and the world, particu- larly given the involvement of the U.S. President. In an exclusive interview with Ra- diolur, Kos noted: “When I spoke with President Ali- yev in Azerbaijan and with your Prime Minister, Mr. Pashinyan, both said that peace already exists—it simply needs to be formalized with a signature. I be- lieve everything is moving in the right direction.” She emphasized that peace would open new opportunities not only for the region but also for Europe. “Connections between China and Europe via Russia have been disrupt- ed due to the war in Ukraine. Routes through the South Caucasus and south of the Black Sea are also affected by the situation around Iran. If you look at current flight paths, you will see that the only open and safe corridor effec- tively passes through your country.” Kos highlighted the broader stra- tegic importance of Armenia as a potential hub for trade, energy, trans- portation, and people-to-people con- nections. Drawing a parallel with the found- ing of the European Union, she noted that countries once in conflict—such as France and Germany—chose eco- nomic cooperation as a path to lasting peace. “I see similar opportunities in your region. Economic cooperation can of- ten make it easier to achieve long-term peace,” she said. Speaking about EU-Armenia re- lations, Kos emphasized support for Armenia’s economic development and reforms. “I recently signed an additional €140 million agreement that will help your businesses grow and support re- forms, particularly in visa liberaliza- tion. Armenia is currently the only country with which we are actively pursuing this process.” She added that the EU is also sup- porting democratic resilience, civil so- ciety, and independent media in Arme- nia, as well as monitoring upcoming elections. Kos highlighted the importance of people-to-people ties, noting that many Armenians live in Europe and benefit from closer connectivity. “Europe has always been a symbol of diverse nations, cultures, and lan- guages. That is why your country is important to us,” she said.