Within the framework of his visit to Finland, RA Minister of Foreign Affairs Ararat Mirzoyan gave an interview to the local "Lännen Media" news agency, as a result of which the article including the minister's interview with the caption "We want to get closer to Finland and other democratic countries" was published in four Finnish dailies.
At the beginning of the article, the journalist notes that Europe attracts many people today. The community of democratic countries shows an unprecedented interest in Armenia. The quotes from the minister in the interview are presented below.
At the beginning of the interview, Minister Ararat Mirzoyan emphasized that Armenia shares the values of democracy with such countries as, for example, Finland. He emphasized that his country pursues an "ambitious agenda of cooperation" with Finland and the EU. "You know our policy, which aims to bring Armenia closer and closer to the European Union. In his speech at the European Parliament, the RA Prime Minister stated that Armenia is ready to get closer to the European Union as much as the EU considers it possible.
According to him, Armenia is currently implementing a policy aimed at significantly deepening relations with the EU. Negotiations are currently underway on the document called "New Partnership Agenda", which Minister Mirzoyan described as a comprehensive document covering various areas of cooperation.
"In April, a high-level trilateral meeting was held with the participation of Armenia, the EU, and the United States. The main purpose of the meeting was to strengthen Armenia's confrontation, especially the economic one, considering that Armenia faces many threats from different directions, including hybrid threats. I would say.
As you know, Armenia is a people's country. We have had a democratic revolution. We have initiated extensive democratic reforms to eradicate corruption and strengthen democratic institutions. We have already had two parliamentary elections that were recognized as fully democratic, free and transparent.
In building a democratic society, of course, we are looking for opportunities to strengthen ties with other democratic societies. It is quite natural that we turn our eyes in the direction of the European Union, which has many developed democratic countries in its composition."
Minister Mirzoyan stated with confidence that the democratic changes taking place in Armenia are irreversible. "It doesn't matter what government will come to power through free democratic elections, democratic values are the basis of our society."
Next, the journalist asks the following question. To what extent is a military alliance with Russia compatible with European goals?Can Armenia be pressured to participate in Russia's war against Ukraine?
Minister Mirzoyan's answer: "Honestly, we were never offered, pressured or expected to participate in the war in Ukraine in any way. There was no such experience."
Minister Mirzoyan answered the question regarding the involvement of RA within CSTO. "Formally, we are still part of the CSTO, but we have announced that we have frozen our participation in the organization's activities. For decades, you have thought that militarily we should be in this military alliance, because we had common threats, some concerns: related to the possible aggression against the territorial integrity and independence of the Republic of Armenia. We believed that this organization would help us protect our sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Unfortunately, we have seen several attacks in recent years and our internationally recognized borders have been violated. When this has happened, we have never received any real support. Allies with such commitments should help each other, that is what a military alliance is all about.
This indifferent attitude led to a huge disappointment. It really changed the public opinion. We are in a big process. I can't predict where this process will lead us, but I can say that we are deepening it our relations with European partners in various fields. We are talking about the economy, economic resistance, as well as political dialogue and mutual understanding. There is EU involvement in the security environment of Armenia security dialogue format. The EU mission is located in Armenia, which monitors the border of Armenia and Azerbaijan. These developments were unimaginable a few years ago."
Referring to the process of normalization of relations with Azerbaijan, Minister Mirzoyan noted the progress in the border demarcation process as positive news. "In general, we have a limit and we know where it is. It was founded in 1991. "On the Alma-Ata Declaration, which was signed by the former Soviet republics and turned the administrative borders into state borders. Of course, the commissions of the two countries should work together on further demarcation and clear demarcation."
Minister Mirzoyan, characterizing demarcation as a guarantee of future stability, noted. "As far as any safeguards are possible these days, having a clearly demarcated border is a very strong mechanism."
In the context of the opening of communications, Minister Mirzoyan noted that Armenia and Azerbaijan can come to such solutions that will be acceptable to both sides resume rail transit and gradually expand it."
Regarding the conclusion of the peace agreement, the third component of the settlement of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Minister Mirzoyan noted. "Now there is an agreement on 15 of the 17 articles. I think we could have finalized and signed the agreement even before the COP29 climate summit in Baku. Unfortunately, it did not happen, but now we are ready to do it in a short time. It can be said that this is a moment of hope. I would say that we are very close. But despite the tragic past of our two states and societies, there is animosity A chance to turn the page. The past has been difficult. It is difficult to understand, forget, forgive, but enough blood has been spilled in our region, and now we have the opportunity to look to the future."
2020 Regarding the internal political crisis in Armenia after the war in Nagorno-Karabakh, Minister Mirzoyan noted. "The prime minister, the government and the political team decided to hold an early parliamentary election. We asked the people two things: do they support the deeper democratic reforms, that is, the government's policies in 2026? We will ask that question again in due course, although polls also show support for the government's policies.
We are currently focused on strengthening our country's security, sovereignty and territorial integrity. On the other hand, we are focused on the prosperity, continuous modernization and democratization of our country. And this naturally brings us closer to Europe and your value choices.
At the same time, with all due respect to procedures and rules, it may be time to act differently from "business as usual" mode. This can refer to both geopolitical decisions and decisions of internal importance. The world is changing. Perhaps it is time to make bold political decisions."
At the end of the interview, Minister Mirzoyan answers the question about the nature of the RA Foreign Minister's work with a smile.
"Thank you for the interesting question. It was very tempting to become the first deputy prime minister, then the president of the parliament. But when I received an offer from the prime minister, it made me think take on this role given the unique circumstances."
At the end of the article, the journalist adds that the number of challenges can be seen just by looking at the location of the country with about 3 million inhabitants on the map, in the middle of Turkey, Georgia, Azerbaijan and Iran, next to Russia in the South Caucasus.
