Friday, September 29 2023 14:08

ArmInfo.The delegation led by RA NA President Alen Simonyan takes part in the European  Conference of the Presidents of Parliaments of the Council of Europe in Dublin. The Speakers of Parliaments of 46 member states of the Council of Europe, the parliamentarians of observer states, as well  as the Heads of inter-parliamentary organizations are participating  in the Conference.  RA NA President Alen Simonyan gave speech within  the framework of the theme of The Challenges to Representative  Democracy in Volatile Times. 

Below is the full text of the speaker's speech, published on the  official website of parliament.

"Dear Mr. O Feargha¡l, Dear Mr. Buttimer, Mr. Kox, Madam Secretary  General, Colleagues, ladies and gentlemen,

I would like to thank Mr. OFeargha¡l, Mr. Buttimer, and our Irish  friends for their warm hospitality and organization of this event. It  is a real honour for me to take part in this conference and address  my fellow counterparts. We keenly recognize the depth and multitude  of problems - and threats - that characterize our turbulent times. In  the words of the Irish well-known writer, politician William Yeats,  The blood-dimmed tide is loosed.The challenges facing liberalism and  representative democracy are profound. 

Robust solutions are imperative. We need look no further than the war  in Ukraine to witness the lust for power throughout the world,  through the instrument of force. This anti-democratic regression  occurs to the detriment of human rights and starkly conflicts with  the collective values and ideals outlined in the European Convention  on Human Rights. We are acutely aware of the pivotal role that  democracy plays in safeguarding human rights and promoting the common  good. It is unquestionably the most effective system in inspiring the  confidence of citizens in their governments and in fostering  resilience within society. Among the threats that undermine the  foundations of this political order are autocratic governance and  justice unrealized. Armenia knows the value of true democracy. The  fortification of democracy through the strengthening of democratic  institutions, legislative improvements, and reforms in governance is  a priority for us. Our commitment to democratic principles was the  most significant factor enabling us to overcome the serious political  crisis resulting from the devastating 44-day war instigated by  Azerbaijan against the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh in 2020. In  Armenia people exercise their power in a manner guaranteed by the  Constitution in elections that are free and fair. We continue to  implement reforms and craft legislation aimed at bolstering electoral  rights in accord with European Standards.

Colleagues,

Peace and democracy are interlinked, and governments facing  existential threats are under enormous pressure to realize the  mandates they were elected to carry out. The war in Nagorno-Karabakh  revealed that autocratic regimes, based on the notion that "might is  right," often resolve conflicts through military force, bypassing  international mediation.  Today, our democracy continues to face  numerous tests. It is endangered by external factors - none greater  than military threats to our security and territorial integrity.   Understandably, the constant threat of violence has a dire effect on  the welfare of our society. Through its drumbeat of hateful,  xenophobic rhetoric - accompanied by ultimatums and military  aggression - Azerbaijan has created a toxic atmosphere and poisoned  the peace process. Feckless responses from the international  community have created in Azerbaijan a sense of impunity, worsening  the situation in the region.  Azerbaijani actions are not confined to  Nagorno-Karabakh but extend to the sovereign territories of Armenia,  some of which remain under Azerbaijan's control. Azerbaijan's  approach is to impose its preferred solutions on Armenia through  force. For over three years Azerbaijan has refused to return Armenian  prisoners of war and other civilians, in defiance of a ruling by the  European Court of Human Rights. Moreover, since the Court's decision,  Azerbaijan has kidnapped 2 Armenian soldiers from Armenian territory,  bringing the total number of confirmed POWs to 35.

Dear colleagues,

I was not surprised that our Turkish colleague approved the use of  military force against the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh. I am not  surprised that Turkiye, Azerbaijan and Russia are often using the  same rhetoric. What I am surprised for is that they are doing so  here, at the organization that is founded for protection of human  rights.

Colleagues,

In different forms, Armenia has continuously been attacked by  Azerbaijan. In his own words, President Aliyev mused about how many  messages Armenia needed to receive to get the point. "Were the 2021  and 2022 border operations not enough?" he asked.He noted that  Armenia did not seem to understand the closing of the Lachin  corridor, the first phase of his ethnic cleansing campaign, about 10  months ago. On September 19, the next part began. Despite the  presence of the Russian peacekeepers, Azerbaijan unleashed another  large-scale military attack against Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh.  Hundreds have been wounded or killed; tens of thousands are being  forcibly displaced.They stay in the open air, without food,  healthcare, and other means of survival. As I speak, in fulfillment  of Azerbaijan's ethnic cleansing plan, the exodus of Armenians from  Nagorno-Karabakh, is underway. It is unbelievable that this is  happening today - in the 21st century - in plain sight of the world.  Through its actions, which minimized international efforts to build  peace and stability in the South Caucasus, Azerbaijan has called into  question its fitness to be a member of the Council of Europe. The  Council of Europe should be actively engaged in the protection of  human rights in the most challenging conflicts. It should be a  priority for the Council of Europe to protect the rights of everyone  within the geographic scope of the Council of Europe, and this  includes Nagorno-Karabakh. Armenia remains committed to achieving a  just and lasting peace in the region. We hope that the October 5th  meeting in Granada, Spain of the leaders of Armenia, Azerbaijan,  Germany, France, and the EU on the sidelines of the Third European  Political Community Summit will be a step forward. Armenia strongly  endorses the approach to peace agreed to by Prime Minister Pashinyan  and President Aliyev and articulated by the President of the European  Council, Charles Michel. We welcome future transport arrangements  that respect the principles of sovereignty, jurisdiction, and  reciprocity. We call on the international community, including the  Council of Europe, to support this process. Today, a hybrid war is  being waged by certain countries against Armenia.Its goals are  twofold: overthrow the democratically elected government and  discredit the notion of representative democracy itself. Democracy,  the rule of law, respect for human rights, and peaceful co-existence  are the pillars upon which humankind should live in peace and  harmony. This is true not only within democratic states individually  but also among them collectively. Together - and perhaps only  together - can we prevail over the troubles of our time. The center  must hold. Thank you."