Turkey is a Security Threat to Armenia and the Region, Says Nikol Pashinyan

The Prime Minister of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan, raised concerns about Turkey's destabilizing policies in the context of the recent escalation along the Armenia-Azerbaijan border during the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly.

“During the July escalation, calls from the international community primarily focused on maintaining the ceasefire regime, dialogue, and restraint of the parties involved. In line with its destabilizing political agenda aimed at expanding its influence in neighboring regions, Turkey nevertheless spared no effort to increase tensions in the South Caucasus, including in the Eastern Mediterranean, North Africa, and the Middle East.

With its unilateral support for Azerbaijan and the expansion of its military presence there, Turkey undermines efforts to establish peace and stability in the region, as well as the initiatives of the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group directed toward this goal. Turkey directly threatens Armenia and is demonstratively exhibiting a warlike posture by conducting provocative joint military exercises with Azerbaijan right next to Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh.

Turkey's policies are built on kinship traditions in our region, the exploitation of conflicts, the justification of the Armenian Genocide, and the impunity for that crime. Turkey is a security threat to Armenia and the region. In this context, Armenia will continue to actively engage in regional and international efforts to maintain peace and security through dialogue and cooperation.

Your Excellencies, despite the challenges we face this year, Armenia continues to be involved in international operations aimed at maintaining peace and security. Armenian peacekeepers serving in Lebanon, Mali, Kosovo, and Afghanistan have contributed to security and stability in those areas. We are ready to expand our participation in peacekeeping operations carried out under the auspices of the United Nations.

Ladies and gentlemen, Armenia emphasizes the effective implementation of the Sustainable Development Agenda 2030. On July 10, 2020, Armenia submitted its second voluntary national report on the Sustainable Development Goals. The theme of this year’s High Level Political Forum—Accelerated Actions and Pathways for Transformation—reflects the national priorities and policies proclaimed by Armenia since the non-violent Velvet Revolution of 2018.

With full support from our people, our government is determined to implement its ambitious reform agenda aimed at building a competitive and inclusive democratic society through strong state institutions. The reform agenda covers all areas of public life, with an emphasis on human rights, the rule of law, the fight against corruption, an independent judicial system, and improving public administration.

We are pursuing a comprehensive economic and social development agenda, relying on high standards in technology, environmental, and educational fields. This week, our government launched the draft transformation strategy for Armenia until 2050, which lists 16 super objectives based on a bold vision of modernization and progress.

Ladies and gentlemen, the 75th anniversary of the United Nations compels us to recognize the multitude of challenges threatening human dignity and human rights. As a member of the Human Rights Council, Armenia will continue to significantly contribute to international cooperation aimed at the protection and strengthening of human rights.

In both its internal and external policy agenda, Armenia emphasizes the equality of all citizens and the active participation of women and youth in political and civic life. The protection of women’s rights in conflict zones and their participation in all stages of conflict resolution is of great significance. The implementation of the provisions of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 is one of the top priorities of our government.

The prevention of genocides has always been an absolute priority for Armenia. As a people who have survived the horrors of genocide, we have a moral responsibility to preserve the memory of the victims of genocides and to contribute to the international community’s efforts aimed at preventing the recurrence of that horrific crime.

We highly appreciate Armenia's efforts to promote an effective international agenda on prevention, as expressed by the support of the international community through the Human Rights Council.

Armenia supports the creation of inclusive dialogue platforms among governments, parliaments, international organizations, academic circles, and civil society regarding the genocide prevention agenda. The regularly held 'Global Forum Against Genocide' in Armenia has become such a platform for dialogue.

Your Excellencies, the 75th anniversary of the United Nations is a timely occasion to reaffirm the importance of the three interconnected pillars of peace, development, and human rights. Ongoing conflicts, the continued presence of radicalism and intolerance, transnational and global challenges expose our collective weaknesses and interdependencies. As always, we need effective multilateralism and therefore a strong and reformed United Nations to ensure a better future of peace and security for future generations,” he stated.