VIDEO: Armenia Proposes Bilateral Mechanism for Arms Control, Mirzoyan Says

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia, Ararat Mirzoyan, delivered a speech at the high-level segment of the Disarmament Conference.

“I am pleased to speak at the Disarmament Conference as an observer state. We believe that the Disarmament Conference serves as an important platform for dialogue and cooperation between nations, aimed at building trust and understanding to achieve common goals. As an observer country, Armenia wishes to actively engage in consultations, discussions, and initiatives aimed at promoting disarmament efforts on a global level.

We reaffirm our commitment to the universal implementation of international obligations in the fields of arms control and non-proliferation, as well as our steadfast support for the structures that underpin them. Armenia reiterates its support for the full, comprehensive, and effective implementation of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). Being an active advocate of non-proliferation policy, we reaffirm our full compliance with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards agreements and additional protocol.

Furthermore, we consider the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty as an indispensable pillar and tool for the global non-proliferation and disarmament regime.

To confront the threats and challenges of the 21st century, new international regulatory tools or mechanisms are crucial in preventing possible conflicts and saving lives, in accordance with international humanitarian law and the protection of human rights. In this regard, it is our firm belief that our collective efforts should not only focus on defending and promoting what we have gained, but also adapting to rapid technological advancements, particularly in the areas of artificial intelligence, lethal autonomous weapon systems, or drone technologies.

Armenia is well aware of the devastating impact of conflicts, having gone through the tragic consequences of wars in our recent history. This painful past drives us to persistently advocate for peaceful conflict resolution, the elimination of the use of force or the threat of force, the prevention of uncontrollable and massive procurement of arms, and the favor of disarmament.

The erosion of arms control regimes does not happen in a vacuum. It is often a consequence of years of non-compliance with basic treaties and documents, as well as indifference to such fundamental principles of the UN Charter as the exclusion of the use of force or the threat thereof, and the maintenance of international peace and security and friendly relations.

Failures in the timely detection of early warning signs of such violations often turn into bloody conflicts and military actions.

It is in this context that Azerbaijan launched a brutal war against Nagorno-Karabakh in 2020, encroaching upon the sovereign territory of Armenia and subjecting more than 108,000 indigenous Armenian residents to ethnic cleansing from their ancestral homeland on September 19, 2023.

Overall, the security situation in the South Caucasus remains unstable, as Azerbaijan does not abandon its aggressive policies towards the Republic of Armenia. By stepping back from the previously agreed principles for establishing peace and security in our region, Azerbaijan continues to make new territorial demands on the Republic of Armenia.

In particular, the principle of respecting each other's territorial integrity based on the 1991 Alma-Ata Declaration and the implementation of the delimitation process aimed at restoring the 1991 borders has been consistently rejected by Azerbaijan.

However, the Government of Armenia continues its genuine efforts towards peace and stability in our region, as well as towards establishing trust and confidence between Armenia and Azerbaijan. To this end, we proposed the simultaneous withdrawal of troops from the Armenia-Azerbaijan interstate border, with the further demilitarization of adjacent territories.

Armenia also proposes to sign a bilateral mechanism for arms control and a non-aggression treaty in line with the peace treaty, if the latter requires additional time to reach consensus.

Despite the fact that all these proposals have so far been ignored or rejected by Azerbaijan, we are determined to continue our efforts. The architecture of arms control and non-proliferation has been created to guarantee a safer and more secure life for all. This cannot be achieved without joint efforts, compromises, and political will.

We believe that dialogue and cooperation based on mutual respect are the cornerstones of effective disarmament efforts. Armenia is ready to collaborate with member states, sharing experiences, knowledge, and resources to confront the challenges before us. Through a commitment to open communication and finding common ground, we can pave the way towards a safer and more secure world.”