Armenia`s survival requires rejecting policy of delusions -  journalist 

ArmInfo. Armenia is at a crossroads where courage, transparency and rejection of the politics of illusions are necessary for survival. This opinion, according to a  message received by ArmInfo, was expressed by the editor-in-chief of  the newspaper "Armenians of Cyprus" Simon Ainejyan. 

He believes that the country, which survived the revolution, is now  facing regression and is building its reality on a "cemetery".  Meanwhile, the Armenian government led by Prime Minister Nikol  Pashinyan continues to fail the nation in all aspects of governance.  Ainejyan drew attention to the fact that the slogans of justice and  reforms proclaimed after the "velvet revolution" of 2018 (as a result  of which Nikol Pashinyan came to power - ed.) have proven  ineffective, since institutions remain weak, reforms are superficial,  and political loyalty is valued higher than competence in governing  the state. "Instead of healing the wounds of the war, the government  is pushing away opposition forces and viewing the church, Artsakh,  and the Diaspora as sources of problems," the newspaper's editor  explained.

Referring to the state's ongoing attempts to marginalize the Armenian  Apostolic Church (AAC), Ainejian said this reflects a deeper  disconnect from national identity. "Undermining the AAC weakens one  of Armenia's oldest unifying forces. When leadership in defense, the  economy, and sovereignty is most needed, the government hides behind  bureaucracy and external actors," he explained.

At the same time, as Ainejian noted, despite the previously declared  anti-corruption rhetoric, institutions remain politicized, and  selective justice replaces the rule of law. At the same time, the  dismantling of the diaspora symbolizes the erasure of Armenia's  global dimension and the severing of institutional ties with millions  of Armenians.

"Centuries-old institutions are ignored, experts, volunteers and  visionaries remain out of sight. The government provoked, entered and  lost the war without preparation, strategy and exit plan. There was  no resignation. No accountability. Just national trauma," the editor  of the Cypriot newspaper noted.

Meanwhile, as Ainejian noted, neither the military nor the civilian  leaders were held accountable for the strategic collapse of 2020, nor  for the ongoing undermining of Armenia's security. According to him,  the state increasingly functions as an NGO project, shaped by grants  and import frameworks that often conflict with Armenia's cultural,  historical, and security interests.

The editor-in-chief also touched on the ongoing peace process with  Azerbaijan, which, as Ainejyan recalled, is taking place in secret.  He explained that the so-called peace treaty discussions lack public  debate, parliamentary scrutiny, and clarity about what is being  recognized, which fuels mistrust and national insecurity.

"At the same time, as old alliances disintegrate, the government has  failed to forge new serious strategic partnerships. Armenia remains  diplomatically isolated," he said.

In connection with the above, Ainejyan stated that Armenia is at a  crossroads, where survival requires abandoning the politics of  illusions. In this vein, he considers it imperative that those  responsible for the failures of 2020 be held accountable.

Touching upon the lost national unity, the editor-in-chief of the  Cypriot newspaper sees its restoration through the reintegration of  the diaspora as partners, not as spectators and "fans", as well as an  end to the state's campaign against the Armenian Apostolic Church,  which remains the cornerstone of national identity.

"Armenia must avoid diplomatic paralysis by strengthening alliances  based on interests. The peace process must be transparent, as secrecy  breeds mistrust. Defense must again become a priority, built on  strategy, not slogans. Armenia is not an experiment. What is needed  now is a political force based on identity, realism and  determination. Without it, we do not govern the state - we govern its  decline," Ainejyan concluded.