The Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia, Alen Simonyan, delivered a speech at the European Conference of Speakers of Parliaments on "Defending Democracy."

"Dear President of the Assembly,

Dear Secretary-General,

Dear Secretary-General of the Assembly,

Dear colleagues, ladies and gentlemen,

It is an honor for me to speak in this Hall, which has worked for more than seven decades to unite Europe around a standard system of values inspired by a great belief in the value of human dignity.

Ladies and gentlemen, I speak not only as a representative of the Republic of Armenia but also as a deep believer in the power of democracy. This conviction prompts me to reflect on the current realities.

The madness of our times must be seen with absolute clarity: the storm is not approaching; it is already here. Chaos is hidden in the fog of double-faced rhetoric. Fact is a lie; an ally is an enemy; a victim is an aggressor; the truth is a lie, and the innocent is guilty.

Such precious things to ashes. The pillars of liberalism are cracking, and the sacred fire of freedom is dying out. Democracy is at risk.

This nightmare is not one from which we can miraculously wake up. As the cradle of the Enlightenment, Europe must rise again to defend freedom. The determination to create must counter the obsession with destruction. Only through united and uncompromising efforts can the fragile flower of democracy bloom.

Armenia, for its part, remains committed to democratization. For us, democracy is not only a system of governance but also the foundation of our national identity and security, the driving force of our aspirations.

The Velvet Revolution of 2018 was a turning point in our history. It set Armenia on the path of transparent elections, independent institutions, and a government free from corruption. Our goal is to build an open and accountable system where every citizen feels empowered and safe.

To achieve this goal, we have initiated ambitious reforms with the support of the Council of Europe. The Council of Europe Action Plan is essential for Armenia to strengthen public trust in our institutions and align them with European standards. Judicial independence, freedom of the press, and the fight against corruption remain at the core of our agenda.

In this context, we attach particular importance to the Council of Europe's high assessments of Armenia's progress towards establishing a sustainable democracy.

I would also like to touch upon the peace process with Azerbaijan. You are undoubtedly aware that Armenia and Azerbaijan have fully agreed on the text of the peace treaty. We welcome 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 relaunch regional communications and promote economic development based on mutual respect and sovereignty.

However, I must note that humanitarian issues remain unresolved. Armenian prisoners of war and civilians in Azerbaijan are subjected to prolonged detention, inhuman treatment, and sham trials. The immediate release of prisoners of war is a priority.

In addition, I am concerned about Azerbaijan's recent false statements about Armenia's alleged military actions, which are destabilizing the situation on the border. In this context, we emphasize the importance of confidence-building measures, such as the EU civilian mission and arms control mechanisms. Most issues that require resolution are either already included in the agreement or resolved through the working group provided for in its framework.

Armenia is ready to agree with Azerbaijan on the dates and venue for the signing of the agreement. We hope that Azerbaijan shares our desire to enter a new era.

Dear colleagues, Armenia's membership in the Council of Europe is approaching its 25th anniversary. On this occasion, we reaffirm our unconditional commitment to democratic values, which we will never cease to defend. We are steadfast on this path."