Regional security and diversification of defense potential remain  Armenian government`s priorities - RA NA Speaker

ArmInfo. Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia Alen Simonyan gave a  speech at the 11th Plenary Session of the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly.

As the National Assambly's press service reports, in his address, RA  NA President Alen Simonyan noted, in part: 

"Dear Co-Chairs and Members of the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly,  Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is an honor and a privilege for me to address this esteemed  assembly.  I would like to begin by commending the Euronest  Parliamentary Assembly for the resolution it adopted in the previous  session regarding humanitarian issues associated with the  Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, including the release of Armenian POWs  held in Azerbaijan, information about the fate of missing persons,  and the need for a UNESCO mission to preserve cultural heritage in  the region.

Over a three-day period, last September, we witnessed the wholesale  ethnic cleansing of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh as they were  driven from their historical homeland in toto. Had the world heeded  Armenia's warnings that Azerbaijan's militant, anti-Armenian rhetoric  and blockade of the Lachin corridor were a presage to tragedy, it  could have been prevented.

Such geopolitical developments further underline the threat to  democracy globally. Unity in the defense of shared values is  imperative: Human rights must be respected, appeasement must be  rejected, and global peace and stability must be promoted.  Since the  exodus of the Armenian population from Nagorno-Karabakh, our  government has focused on addressing the humanitarian situation of  the more than 100,000 refugees. In this regard, I thank the EU and EU  member states for the humanitarian assistance they provided to  address the immediate needs of these people.

Obviously, ongoing assistance is needed for these individuals to  rebuild their lives, and we hope that the EU will continue to support  the social programs crafted by the Armenian government, such as those  focused on employment and housing.

Despite the security challenges that Armenia has faced in recent  months, we are steadfast in our determination to build a society that  fully embodies our values - values we share with the EU. We applaud  the EU for its commitment to deepening our cooperation and await the  updated Partnership Agenda, which will reflect our shared priorities.

I would also like to reference the historic statement of the Prime  Minister of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan, who, in October 2023, clearly  voiced Armenia's intention to draw closer to the EU.

In this context, we view the Eastern Partnership, which has fostered  closer cooperation on a broad agenda, as a solid foundation for  Armenia-EU relations.  The Eastern Partnership has made an enormous  contribution to the evolution of democracy in my country, which has  unequivocally chosen the path of democratization and reform. Armenia  - with the support of the European Union - is resolute in continuing  this journey. Armenia remains committed to creating a durable and  dignified peace in the region.

Let me use this moment to thank the EU Council for deploying and  later expanding the EU civilian mission in Armenia. The EUMA has  improved the security situation in the border regions of the country.

We look forward to launching the Visa Liberalization Dialogue as part  of the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement. This will  mark a significant step towards further Armenia and EU cooperation,  stimulating people-to-people contacts, and conveying an important  political message to the people of Armenia.

Dear Colleagues,

The security situation in the region and Armenia's need to develop  and diversify its defense capabilities remain priorities. Therefore,  we emphasize the provision of assistance within the framework of the  European Peace Facility and seek the support of all EU member states  in this matter.

Finally, I would like to express my gratitude to the European  Parliament for its recent resolution on closer ties between the EU  and Armenia and on the need for a peace agreement between Azerbaijan  and Armenia. This further exemplifies the high-level engagement -  rooted in a common, expansive vision - between Armenia and the EU,  and it also reflects the will and aspirations of the Armenian people.   Thank you."