Europe is an Example for Us in This Respect: Nikol Pashinyan

The high-level visit of the Armenian leader to Poland has been a long time coming, and the current visit marks the beginning of a new phase in bilateral relations. This was stated by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan during a joint statement with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk.

“But for me, Mr. Tusk, it is a special honor to receive an invitation from you and to be welcomed so warmly by you. Today we meet with you as the Prime Minister of Poland, but Armenia has many bright memories of you and highly appreciates your work as President of the European Council because Armenia has always felt your support in the path of democratic reforms. And indeed, my personal experience during that time has created a substantial reserve of trust, and I want to thank you for that,” he said.

The Prime Minister also appreciated Poland's support for Armenia in various directions, including within the framework of the European Union. He noted that it was important to hear Tusk’s assessments regarding the law on starting the process of Armenia's membership in the European Union, and that his encouraging words provide new confidence to continue democratic reforms aimed at aligning Armenia with European and EU standards.

“I will not hide, and you know this, of course, not by listening, that democratic reforms are a very complex process. They bring challenges, they bring doubts, they bring accusations. And especially in today’s world, it is sometimes accepted or even attempted to create the impression that being a democratic country means being a weak country. A democratic country means being unable to ensure and defend its own security. And I believe that Poland is a very bright example in this regard of how democracy can be combined with a strong security system, a strong economy, and, of course, strong partnerships in the international arena,” he said.

Pashinyan highlighted that Poland’s experience is an important example for Armenia regarding the combination of democracy and security, as well as promoting a peace agenda. “You know, when we were just announcing the path of adopting a peace strategy, and I was presenting my vision on the peace process in our parliament in Armenia, one of the opposition deputies reacted by saying: ‘You talk about the South Caucasus as if you’re talking about Europe.’ And my response was: Are we convinced that we know Europe’s history well?” he added. “And Europe is an example for us in this regard.”

He emphasized that especially Europe’s complex and sometimes brutal history has led Armenia to the conviction that peace, democracy, and freedom have no alternative. “Because there are always arguments against peace, but it is very important to have and be able to rely on those arguments that demonstrate the inevitability of peace, the inevitability of democracy, and the inevitability of freedom. And the path of freedom that Poland has gone through and this process of building a democratic society is certainly exemplary for us,” he concluded.

In closing, Pashinyan expressed gratitude for the warm welcome and reaffirmed his invitation to the Polish Prime Minister to participate in the European Political Community summit in Yerevan scheduled for May. “Once again, allow me to thank you for the warm welcome. And, of course, I look forward to welcoming you in May at the European Political Community summit in Yerevan,” the Prime Minister said.