Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset has stated that Strasbourg clearly senses Armenia’s strong aspiration to move closer to Europe.

Following his official visit to Armenia on June 11–12, Berset shared his impressions during a session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), also discussing the state of democracy in Armenia and government-led initiatives in that area, Armenpress reports.

He noted that while the visit was originally scheduled for March, it eventually took place in June, which allowed for closer observation of peace talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan and the broader South Caucasus situation.

“The South Caucasus is a region fully integrated into the European family. This is due not only to geography but also to historical factors and shared values,” said Berset.

He emphasized that these aspects support deeper cooperation with the Council of Europe.

“Following my visit, especially to Armenia, my personal assessment and impression is that we feel a very strong desire from Armenia to move toward Europe. This is a very important factor. In this context, the role of the Council of Europe is to work with countries that have such aspirations,” Berset added, noting the significance of the Council of Europe’s office in Yerevan.

He also visited the CoE office in Yerevan, which, according to him, plays a vital role in advancing reforms and implementing various programs.

“My impression is very positive. I’m not naive—I understand that in every country, including all CoE member states, there are always issues to resolve. That is natural. But what matters is their main direction, which, in my view, is moving in the right way,” the Secretary General concluded.