TAOISEACH MICHEÁL MARTIN is in Armenia today for a meeting of the European Political Community (EPC), joining around 50 leaders from across the continent.

The summit, taking place in the Armenian capital Yerevan, will focus on geopolitical developments, economic resilience and security, against a backdrop of ongoing conflict in Ukraine and instability in the Middle East.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is attending as a guest, the first non-European leader to take part in the forum, in what officials say reflects closer ties between Canada and Europe.

“Leaders from across the continent, with Canada as a guest, will discuss how to cooperate to strengthen security and collective resilience,” European Council President António Costa wrote on social media as he arrived in the Armenian capital yesterday.

Leaders including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte are also in attendance, with discussions expected to touch on Europe’s security landscape and its relationship with the United States.

Speaking ahead of the meeting, Martin said the EPC provides an opportunity to address shared challenges European countries are facing.

“The European Political Community is an important forum to discuss challenges faced by the wider European continent, including those linked to continuing Russian aggression in Ukraine, global instability and the consequences of conflict in the Middle East,” Martin said.

“Responding to Europe’s competitiveness challenges and to the changed security landscape will be an important focus for our EU Presidency, which begins in July,” he added.

While in Yerevan, Martin is due to take part in a roundtable on economic security and connectivity, attend a session on support for Moldova, and join talks on tackling organised crime and drug trafficking.

He is also expected to hold a number of bilateral meetings with other leaders.

The summit comes amid uncertainty in transatlantic relations, with US President Donald Trump looming large over discussions following tensions with European allies and policy disagreements over global conflicts.

Established in 2022 following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the EPC brings together EU and non-EU countries for informal political dialogue, rather than formal decision-making.

Ireland is set to host the next meeting of the forum in Dublin in November, with Martin expected to extend invitations to fellow leaders during today’s summit.

“I look forward to welcoming members of the European Political Community to Dublin,” Martin said ahead of the summit.