Address by RA NA President Alen Simonyan at the 11th Plenary Session of the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly
Dear Co-Chairs and Members of the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is an honor and a privilege for me to address this esteemed assembly.
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I would like to begin by commending the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly for the resolution it adopted in the previous session regarding humanitarian issues associated with the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, including the release of Armenian POWs held in Azerbaijan, information about the fate of missing persons, and the need for a UNESCO mission to preserve cultural heritage in the region.
Over a three-day period, last September, we witnessed the wholesale ethnic cleansing of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh as they were driven from their historical homeland in toto. Had the world heeded Armenia’s warnings that Azerbaijan’s militant, anti-Armenian rhetoric and blockade of the Lachin corridor were a presage to tragedy, it could have been prevented.
Such geopolitical developments further underline the threat to democracy globally. Unity in the defense of shared values is imperative: Human rights must be respected, appeasement must be rejected, and global peace and stability must be promoted.
Since the exodus of the Armenian population from Nagorno-Karabakh, our government has focused on addressing the humanitarian situation of the more than 100,000 refugees. In this regard, I thank the EU and EU member states for the humanitarian assistance they provided to address the immediate needs of these people.
Obviously, ongoing assistance is needed for these individuals to rebuild their lives, and we hope that the EU will continue to support the social programs crafted by the Armenian government, such as those focused on employment and housing.
Despite the security challenges that Armenia has faced in recent months, we are steadfast in our determination to build a society that fully embodies our values – values we share with the EU. We applaud the EU for its commitment to deepening our cooperation and await the updated Partnership Agenda, which will reflect our shared priorities.
I would also like to reference the historic statement of the Prime Minister of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan, who, in October 2023, clearly voiced Armenia’s intention to draw closer to the EU.
In this context, we view the Eastern Partnership, which has fostered closer cooperation on a broad agenda, as a solid foundation for Armenia-EU relations.
The Eastern Partnership has made an enormous contribution to the evolution of democracy in my country, which has unequivocally chosen the path of democratization and reform. Armenia – with the support of the European Union – is resolute in continuing this journey. Armenia remains committed to creating a durable and dignified peace in the region.
Let me use this moment to thank the EU Council for deploying and later expanding the EU civilian mission in Armenia. The EUMA has improved the security situation in the border regions of the country.
We look forward to launching the Visa Liberalization Dialogue as part of the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement. This will mark a significant step towards further Armenia and EU cooperation, stimulating people-to-people contacts, and conveying an important political message to the people of Armenia.
Dear Colleagues,
The security situation in the region and Armenia’s need to develop and diversify its defense capabilities remain priorities. Therefore, we emphasize the provision of assistance within the framework of the European Peace Facility and seek the support of all EU member states in this matter.
Finally, I would like to express my gratitude to the European Parliament for its recent resolution on closer ties between the EU and Armenia and on the need for a peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia. This further exemplifies the high-level engagement – rooted in a common, expansive vision – between Armenia and the EU, and it also reflects the will and aspirations of the Armenian people.
Thank you.