Former Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian wrote:
"From the moment of removal of Nikol Pashinyan's resignation, Armenia's strategic and diplomatic position will be significantly improved, and the threat of the new war will decrease. Why? Because Pashinyan is widely perceived as a failed leader. His political capital is exhausted, the rating is disrupted, and its guidance has become a symbol of weakness, for enemies, and a sign of unreliability, for allies. During his leadership, Armenia has lost territories, lives and national dignity. Any government that will be guided by national interests and clear purpose, can start to turn this page to restore Armenia's worthy place in the region.
The new government must quickly act in two main directions. First, the current talks with Azerbaijan should be temporarily. This does not mean the cancellation of any point on the existing agenda, no matter how dangerous or unacceptable. Instead, Armenia must insist on the inclusion of its priorities to the inclusion of its priorities. The main one of them, the release of Armenian prisoners, the right of the return of the displaced population of Artsakh and the withdrawal of Azerbaijani forces from the sovereign territory of Armenia. After that, let the talks continue. This approach should be principled, restrained and unhappy, decisive, but not provocative.
Second, Armenia must clarify its geopolitical orientation based on the realities of changing the spot and global power rearrangements. Armenia must proceed from reactive diplomacy to initiative policy. The government must speak clearly and confidently, not be extended in fear of the war and disagree with the solutions dictated by the outside. National interests must be established by Armenia, not the foreign forces with contradictory interests.
Although the West has its strategic goals in the region, reduce the Russian influence, isolate Iran, ensure the flow of Azerbaijani energy, Armenia should not turn into a card. Instead, it must be involved in all players based on mutual interests and respect.
Even in the less favorable years of the 2000s, the foreign policy of complementarization was beneficial to Armenia. The current international environment is a favorable moment for the revival of this approach, having one strategic support and simultaneously cooperating with other global forces to ensure both security and economic advantages.
Undoubtedly, the loss of Artsakh and the forced deportation of the entire Armenian population in 2023 was not only a national tragedy, but also alarm clock. This moment requires a bold and unconditional rewriting, not the right to fear or fatality, but not the right to return, and the right to preserve itself.
The promotion of national interest does not mean war. This means consistent and clearly promoting strategic goals, discipline and perseverance. One of the most urgent problems is the restoration of the right to the return of Artsakh displaced Armenians. More than 120,000 people have been deported, which can only be described as an ethnic cleansing. This is not a closed page, but a continuous political, diplomatic, legal and moral crisis. Armenia must take its own hands on their return to the international struggle, based on the existing support, starting in 2023 of the International Court of Justice. From November Decision to the Resolutions of the EU and the Swiss Parliaments and the statements of the representatives of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs.
At the same time, Armenia must adopt a fundamental and realistic approach to relations with Turkey. This does not mean sacrifice of historical truth. The 1915 genocide is a document recognized both by the scientific community and many governments. Postpashin Armenia must continue its former advanced position on the prevention of genocides based on the recognition and condemnation of its ancestors, honest, hatred and vengeance.
Armenia is standing at the intersection. During Pashinyan, the road was the path of retreat, despair and growing vulnerability. But this process is not inevitable. With new guidance, the restored national purpose and with confident foreign policy, Armenia can rise again, protecting the rights of its people, keeping its identity and restoring its worthy place in the region and in the world. "
