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Dear President of the Assembly, Secretary General, Secretary General of the Assembly, Colleagues,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am honored to speak in this chamber, which for more than seven decades has worked to unite Europe around a shared, universal system of values inspired by the grand belief in the dignity of the human beings.

Ladies and gentlemen, I stand before you not only as a representative of Armenia but also as someone who deeply believes in the power of democracy. It is this conviction that compels me to reflect on our present state.

The madness of our times must be observed with absolute clarity: a storm is not gathering - it is here. Havoc is obscured in the fog of doublespeak. Fact is fake, allies are enemies, victims are aggressors, truth is a hoax, and the innocent are guilty.

So much that is precious has turned to ash.

The pillars of liberalism quake; the sacred flame of freedom dims.

Democracy is in danger.

This nightmare is not one from which we may miraculously awaken. Europe, the cradle of the Enlightenment, must once again rise to defend liberty. The zeal to destroy must be countered by the resolve to create. Only through united and unrelenting effort can the frail blossom of democracy flourish.

Armenia, for its part, remains committed to democratization. For us, democracy is more than a system of governance - it is the foundation of our national identity and security, the driving force behind our aspirations.

The 2018 Velvet Revolution marked a turning point in our history. It set Armenia on a path toward transparent elections, independent institutions, and a government free from corruption. Our goal remains clear: to build an open and accountable system where every citizen feels empowered and secure.

To achieve this, we have embraced ambitious reforms with the support of the Council of Europe. The Council’s action plan for Armenia is a vital tool for strengthening public trust in our institutions and aligning them with European standards. Judicial independence, media freedom, and the fight against corruption remain at the heart of our agenda.

In this regard, we particularly value the assessments of the organization regarding the progress Armenia has made towards establishing a resilient democracy.

I would also like to report on the peace process with Azerbaijan. No doubt you are aware that Armenia and Azerbaijan have fully agreed on the text of a peace treaty. We hail this progress and believe that peaceful coexistence and regional cooperation are the best guarantees of security and prosperity. Our Crossroads of Peace initiative aims to reopen regional communications and promote economic development based on mutual respect and sovereignty.

Yet, humanitarian issues remain. In Azerbaijan, Armenian prisoners of war and civilians have endured prolonged detention, inhumane treatment, and kangaroo court proceedings. The immediate release of these prisoners is of paramount importance.

Moreover, I fear that the recent false statements by Azerbaijan about Armenian military activity are escalating the situation on the border. In this context, we emphasize the importance of confidence-building measures, such as those provided by the EU Civilian Mission, and arms control mechanisms. Most of the unresolved issues are addressed in the agreement itself or within the framework of the working group created by it.

Armenia is ready to coordinate with Azerbaijan as to the time and place for signing the agreement. We hope that Azerbaijan shares our will to enshrine a new era.

Colleagues,

As we approach the 25^th  anniversary of Armenia’s admission to the Council of Europe, we reaffirm our unwavering commitment to democratic principles. We will never fail to defend these values. And from this course we will never deviate.

Thank you very much.