Thank You to the US and Other Partners for Helping Us Halt Azerbaijan's Further Invasion of Armenian Territory - Pashinyan

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan participated today in the official opening plenary session of the Second Summit for Democracy. The summit is being held in an online format initiated by U.S. President Joe Biden.

In his speech, Pashinyan expressed gratitude to the US for stopping Azerbaijan's further incursion into Armenia's sovereign territory. The Prime Minister of Armenia particularly stated:

“Your Excellencies, President Biden, esteemed leaders of nations, ladies and gentlemen, it is an honor and a pleasure for me to speak on behalf of the Republic of Armenia at the Second Summit for Democracy. Despite global and regional challenges, Armenia consistently continues to implement a democratic reform agenda. As a result, our country has improved its positions in various global rankings. Freedom House has classified Armenia as a ‘free’ country in its annual report on ‘Internet Freedom’. Armenia has also made unprecedented progress in the 2022 Global Press Freedom Index published by Reporters Without Borders, improving its position by 12 points. Last year, Armenia improved its position by 7 points in the democracy index published by the Economist Intelligence Unit.

Our government continues to fight against climate change by building a low-emission energy sector and a viable green economy. We have made progress in the ‘Energy Trilemma Index 2021’, ranking 53rd out of 127 countries.

Alongside strengthening democratic institutions in our country, we had to face aggression against the internationally recognized territory of the Republic of Armenia in September 2022, which led to the occupation of part of our sovereign territory by Azerbaijan. In September, we felt the unity of democratic countries and their clear condemnation of the aggression against Armenia. I would like to take this opportunity to express our gratitude to the United States and other partners who helped us halt further incursions through diplomatic means.

Armenia strongly condemns human rights violations worldwide, and we have much to do together to prevent genocides, ethnic cleansing, and atrocities. What is happening today with Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh, the blockade of the Lachin corridor by Azerbaijan, and the resulting humanitarian crisis is unequivocally an attempt of ethnic cleansing against the Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh. And we cannot turn a blind eye to it.

At the same time, I reiterate that Armenia remains committed to the peace process with Azerbaijan. We are convinced that the peaceful development of the region has no alternative and that adherence to democratic values will help us find a path to peace. Ladies and gentlemen, democracy is a continuous work, and we will continue to undertake new commitments, setting new benchmarks for Armenia in the global democratic ranking table.

I believe in the power of democracy for peace, for freedom, for happiness. Thank you.”