Our Country Can Weather the Storm of Coronavirus: Ambassador of Armenia in the USA

Armenian Ambassador to the United States Varuzhan Nersesyan's article in "The National Interest":

“The coronavirus has tested the resilience and unity of both large and small, rich and poor, technologically advanced and developing countries—providing little assurance of protection at best. Located thousands of kilometers away from the United States, Armenia, a small landlocked nation, was on a path of stable economic development, driven by the democratic transition that occurred a year and a half ago, when the coronavirus hit.

The social distancing and slowdown of economic development, followed by the suspension of most trade flights and border crossings, put a significant burden on our economy, particularly its rapidly growing sectors—services, tourism, and agricultural exports. The nationwide call to 'Stay at Home,' the requirement to wear masks, large-scale testing, and contact tracing, combined with increased hospital bed capacity and public awareness, have helped in the fight against the pandemic.

We are gradually moving towards reopening the economy. Commercial flights will soon be restored, and the country aims to regain its economic victories.

However, the health and economic challenges posed by the coronavirus are not the only trials our country faces. Armenia is located in a region where history, cultural diversity, and contemporary politics converge, creating geopolitical and regional fault lines that may lead to conflict if they do not receive due attention or skilled management. The Caucasus is geographically at a crossroads, a hub where Europe, Asia, and the Middle East converge—a region prone to broader geopolitical competition.

Armenia conducts a balanced and multi-faceted foreign and security policy to address and mitigate this challenge, reduce violence, and create stability. This inclusive vision enables us to strive for the necessary cooperation and allied relationships with the United States, Russia, and the European Union, as well as other regional actors and associations.

Maintaining strong relations with the United States is particularly important for Armenia, based on reasons related to our society and values. Although Armenia and the United States are in different continents, we share common values, ideas, goals, and the unique human connection every citizen of Armenia has with a friend or relative who is American, which is much stronger than our geographical distance.

Since my arrival in the United States as Ambassador of Armenia, my first efforts have been directed toward establishing a strategic dialogue between the U.S. government and us. This is a format for our growing relations that encompasses politics, trade, energy, technology, defense, civil society, and humanitarian issues. The United States provides Armenia with vital development assistance that has helped us strengthen our economy and build a robust civil society for over a quarter of a century—two key drivers behind the recent democratic changes in Armenia.

Nevertheless, we also face an even more immediate danger from military aggression by our neighbor Azerbaijan, which views Armenia's democratic transformation as a threat rather than a model, issuing threats of war against Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh. The Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense recently threatened to 'take measures that will be more destructive than those taken in 2015, 2016, and 2018,' asserting that 'the enemy will suffer large-scale losses,' claiming that 'the only language to speak with the enemy is the language of power.'

Despite the UN Secretary-General's call for a global cessation of hostilities during this unprecedented health crisis, Azerbaijan chose to escalate its war rhetoric against Armenia and Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), which declared its independence in 1991 following the collapse of the Soviet Union and successfully defended it against Azerbaijani military aggression.

Recent manifestations of militarism included large-scale military exercises conducted by our neighbor just last month during the pandemic. These actions prompted condemnation from bipartisan members of Congress, deeming them 'dangerous' and 'reckless.'

It appears that the Aliyev regime, so accustomed to mocking and threatening its citizens without regard for their fundamental rights, believes it can intimidate Armenia and Artsakh. In contrast, Armenia is fully committed to a peaceful process, even while the entire country is engaged in the fight against the pandemic. Our country has sought to revitalize the process by calling for the return of Nagorno-Karabakh to the negotiating table—a role it has played since the mid-90s. The presence of Nagorno-Karabakh at the negotiations was crucial for maintaining the ceasefire established in 1994, and it will be imperative today for transforming the fragile peace into a sustainable one.

It is regrettable that anti-Armenian hate speech, accompanied by militaristic and military provocations, has become a tool in the hands of the Azerbaijani leadership to divert its population's attention from worsening internal political issues. This stance poses a threat not only to Artsakh and Armenia but also to regional peace and security.

For nearly three decades, the people of Artsakh have created their democracy through free and fair elections and pursued economic, social, and cultural development despite the constant threat of war. They understand that security and democracy are interconnected and that democratic societies are best inclined to resolve conflicts peacefully. Since its declaration of independence, Artsakh has conducted six presidential and seven parliamentary elections, including the most recent, resulting in the election of a new president and parliament.

However, Azerbaijan refuses to negotiate with representatives from Artsakh, as this would legitimize their rights. The international community should not be held hostage to one country's intolerance; it should engage with Nagorno-Karabakh, whether in supporting their democracy or providing international assistance to combat the coronavirus or other challenges. Ultimately, the pandemic does not have political preferences, and human rights and democracies are not conditioned by an entity's international status.

Our country can weather the storm of the coronavirus, protecting our democracy, ourselves, and the people of Artsakh from Azerbaijani threats. The sooner our neighbor understands that the key to resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict lies in refraining from the use of force and engaging in negotiations with Nagorno-Karabakh, the closer we will be to resolution. As we strive to bring that day closer, we call upon Azerbaijan to focus on the real needs of its people and the common threats facing the region today, including the spread of the coronavirus and its negative social and economic impacts.”