Merz to skip EPC summit in Yerevan, first German absence

Germany’s chancellor will not attend the upcoming European Political Community summit in Armenia, marking the first time Berlin will be absent from the gathering.

According to Armenian media reports citing DPA, Friedrich Merz will not travel to Yerevan due to scheduling constraints.

“Chancellor Friedrich Merz will not be able to make the trip due to other commitments,” government spokesperson Esther Uhle said, without specifying who will lead the German delegation.

Uhle noted that Merz had participated in two previous summits since taking office, while his predecessor, Olaf Scholz, attended five such meetings. She added that the chancellor remains in regular contact with many of the roughly 50 members of the European Political Community.

The summit, scheduled for May 4 in Yerevan, will be the first hosted by Armenia. The European Political Community serves as a platform for European leaders to meet twice a year.

Delegations from nearly all European countries are expected to attend, including representatives from Ukraine and Türkiye.

On May 5, Yerevan will also host the first Armenia–European Union summit. Armenia will be represented by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, while the EU delegation will include European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

French President Emmanuel Macron is also scheduled to visit Armenia on the same day.

By Tamilla Hasanova