On October 29, RA Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan participated in the roundtable discussion of the High-Level International Conference on Information Integrity and Independent Media. The debate was held within the framework of the 8th Paris Peace Conference, which launched this year under the theme “New Coalitions for Peace, People and Planet”.
“I would like to thank Minister Barrot for the invitation to participate in this timely discussion. Our meeting takes place at a crucial time, when access to reliable information and independent journalism is key to promoting democratic values. Still, at the same time, digital technologies and artificial intelligence are being used as tools for the dissemination of large-scale fake news and disinformation campaigns to target individuals and societies, incite hatred and violence, and promote human rights violations.
Like every democracy in this era, Armenia, of course, also faces a massive wave of hybrid threats, including disinformation, manipulation, and foreign interference. These are not isolated actions; they are targeted, coordinated, hostile campaigns aimed at achieving specific goals, including undermining trust in sovereignty and democratic institutions and undermining the aspirations for cooperation and like-minded partnerships.
Countering these challenges has become a daily task. This is where the dilemma and fine line emerge: on the one hand, protecting freedom of expression and pluralistic journalism, and on the other, resolutely countering unscrupulous actors who seek to abuse freedom and undermine public trust in our democracy. We are fully aware that these attempts will increase as Armenia approaches parliamentary elections next year.
What is the key in this situation? I think democracy itself. To protect democracy in Armenia, we must rely on democracy itself and the mechanisms it provides. We can only look back to our own experience —the 2021 political crisis and the elections aimed at resolving it —as the most striking example of what I am saying.
Of course, we cannot overcome this challenge alone. We have built and continue to work to expand like-minded partnerships that contribute to Armenia’s resilience. This includes deepening our multifaceted collaboration with the European Union, strategic engagement with France and other EU countries, and with partners with strong democratic institutions.
According to the 2025 World Press Freedom Index published by Reporters Without Borders, Armenia has once again improved its position, rising nine places in the country rankings from 43rd to 34th out of 180 countries.
Recognizing the importance of healthy information ecosystems across the world, Armenia is taking a leading role within the framework of the “Partnership for Information and Democracy” by joining the Advisory Committee of the Partner States, building on our previous cooperation. With the same logic, Armenia is also joining the “International Foundation for Media in the Public Interest.”
In conclusion, I would like to reiterate that Armenia is joining the “Declaration on Multilateral Action for Information Integrity and Independent Media,” said Mirzoyan.
