RA Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan gave a speech at the high-level part of the Disarmament Forum.
"I am happy to participate in the Disarmament Conference as an observer state. We believe the Conference on Disarmament is essential for dialogue and cooperation among nations to build trust and mutual understanding to achieve common goals. Armenia, as an observer country, wants to be actively involved in consultations, discussions, and initiatives aimed at promoting disarmament efforts at the global level.
We reaffirm our commitment to the universal implementation of international obligations in arms control and non-proliferation and our steadfast support for the structures that underpin it.
Armenia reaffirms its support for the complete and effective implementation of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. As an active proponent of non-proliferation, we reiterate our full compliance with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Safeguards Agreements and Additional Protocol.
Moreover, we consider the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty an indispensable pillar and tool for the global regime of nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament.
To meet the threats and challenges of the 21st century, new international regulatory instruments or mechanisms are essential to prevent potential conflicts and save lives by international humanitarian law and human rights protection. In this regard, our joint efforts must protect and advance what we have achieved and adapt to rapid technological advances, especially in artificial intelligence, lethal autonomous weapon systems, or drone technology.
Armenia is well aware of the destructive impact of conflicts, having gone through the tragic consequences of wars in recent history. This painful past motivates us to insist on the peaceful settlement of disputes, the exclusion of force or the threat of force, the prevention of uncontrolled and massive arms acquisition, and disarmament.
The disintegration of arms control regimes does not occur in a vacuum. It is usually the result of years of non-compliance with critical treaties and instruments, as well as indifference to such essential principles of the UN Charter as the exclusion of force or the threat of force and the maintenance of international peace and security and good-neighborly relations. International failures to detect early warning signs of such violations usually escalate into bloody conflicts and hostilities.
It is in such conditions that Azerbaijan started a brutal war against Nagorno-Karabakh in 2020, penetrated the sovereign territory of Armenia, and on September 19, 2023, ethnically cleansed more than 108,000 native Armenians from their ancestral homeland.
In general, the security situation in the South Caucasus remains unstable because Azerbaijan does not give up its aggressive policy towards the Republic of Armenia. Backing away from the pre-agreed principles of establishing peace and security in our region, Azerbaijan continues to present new territorial demands to the Republic of Armenia. In particular, the principle of respecting each other's territorial integrity based on the Alma-Ata Declaration of 1991 and the implementation of the demarcation process to restore the 1991 border have been consistently rejected by Azerbaijan.
However, the Government of Armenia continues its genuine efforts to establish peace and stability in our region and trust and faith between Armenia and Azerbaijan. For this purpose, we have proposed the simultaneous withdrawal of troops from the Armenia-Azerbaijan interstate border with further demilitarization of the border areas. Armenia also offered to sign a bilateral arms control mechanism and a non-aggression pact ahead of the peace treaty if signing the latter requires additional time to reach a consensus. Even though all these proposals have been ignored or rejected by Azerbaijan, we are determined to continue our efforts.
The arms control and non-proliferation architecture was created to ensure a safer and more secure life for all. This can only be done with joint efforts, compromises, and political will.
We believe dialogue and cooperation based on mutual respect are the cornerstones of practical disarmament efforts. Armenia is ready to cooperate with member countries by sharing experience, knowledge, and resources to meet the challenges we face. Open communication and a commitment to find common ground can pave the way to a safer and more secure world."
