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The RA NA delegation takes part in the work of the Winter Meeting of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE PA) going on in Vienna. The deputy of the RA NA Civil Contract, the member of the delegation Lilit Minasyan delivered a speech in the Assembly. The MP said:

“Dear colleagues,

Today, I would like to talk about the cornerstone of our society: democracy. Democracy is more than just a system of governance; it is a beacon of hope, a testament to the power of the people, and a foundation for peace and progress.

I think more and more why the international community faces such challenges:

It’s not Diverse Interests and Perspectives, or Power Dynamics and Geopolitical Rivalries, it's not even Weak International Institutions, Failure of Conflict Resolution Mechanisms.

I’m sure that the main reason is that we are going farther from our values as an international community. Ignoring or turning a blind eye to autocracy can have serious consequences for global peace, stability, and human rights.

Democratic nations do not seek war. Instead, they strive for peace, stability, and prosperity for their citizens and for the world at large. Authoritarian regimes often rely on the creation of external enemies to maintain their grip on power and control over their populations. By scapegoating foreign entities, these regimes divert attention away from domestic issues, suppress dissent, and justify repressive measures. This strategy ultimately undermines stability and perpetuates a cycle of conflict and oppression.

They don’t want peace. As we see they bring up new and new conditions to not lose the idea of an external enemy, their grip of power. It is important to acknowledge that democracies are not immune to the pressures and complexities of the world. They face threats from authoritarian regimes, other actors who seek to undermine democratic values and provoke conflict.

In conclusion, we can prevent autocracy, aggression or war by addressing and voicing the threat to democratic values.

Let us reaffirm our commitment to democracy in Armenia and peace in our region. Let us reject the false dichotomy between democracy and war, and instead embrace the belief that through democracy, we can build a more peaceful and prosperous world for generations to come.

Thank you.”