Updates
Statements and messages of the President of RA
30
08, 2011
Excerpts from Serzh Sargsyan’s address at the consultations with the senior staff of the RA Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the heads of the Armenian diplomatic missions abroad
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I believe it would be redundant to speak about the importance of these meetings for holding comprehensive discussions on the issues facing the Armenian foreign policy and steps to deal with them. I am confident that these meetings indisputably enhance the efficiency of Armenia’s diplomatic service. However, before addressing other issues, I would like to speak about the most significant jubilee to be celebrated this year – the 20th anniversary of Armenia’s independence and accordingly the 20th anniversary of Armenia’s diplomatic service.
Soviet Armenia too had the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and many of its diplomats can serve as a bright example of patriotism for the younger generation. Those were people who even under Soviet rule would cherish and advance national ideals, believing deep in their hearts that one day those aspirations would appear on the foreign agenda of independent Armenia.
Today, it is necessary to glance back at the road covered by the RA diplomatic service. The service was formed in wartime, during an economic and social crisis. Many of you remember dire conditions in which our first embassies had to work.
We have passed test of time with honor. We have withstood multiple challenges and pressures, which often emanated from the changes in the foreign policy environment and international situation, sometimes also due to our own failings. Yes, we have overcome those challenges and pressures and never put our independence and security, our sovereignty and our achievements in danger. Furthermore, we have survived those pressures even more hardened, appearing before the world as a reliable partner whose words and deeds do not differ, who is not trying to shift its share of responsibility for international and regional problems to others.
Many of the issues we face still remain unsolved. However I have no doubt that our diplomacy will eventually crown with success our mission which we inaugurated with victories. I have said it before, I am saying it now: always remember that you are soldiers too, standing at the front line. The Armenian nation awaits for your success.
The time which passed after our previous meetings has been a period of boisterous developments for our foreign policy.
We have maintained intensive political dialogue with pivotal states and structures. Contacts and reciprocal visits with many leaders, including the heads of the UN Security Council member states are conducted on a regular basis. Relations and ties with friendly states have acquired a new quality and content. Armenia is bringing her active participation to the processes aimed at the enforcement of international security. Our position on the international arena have strengthened, our voice has become more audible and, most importantly, our viewpoints and positions regarding our region as well as important items of the international agenda concur with those of the international community.
This has been achieved not only through our enterprising and principled foreign policy but also through a successful implementation of the democratic reforms conducted in the country, through our resolve and consistency to carry out these reforms.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
This year, we have witnessed how South Sudan after decades of struggle achieved independence, augmenting the international experience of utilizing the right for self-determination with another precedent. The same will inevitably happen with Artsakh, even though today I yet cannot tell you that Azerbaijan has toned down in the NK peace negotiations.
I am sure you are aware of that process and in your working routine you are dealing regularly with different manifestations of that problem. When we state that today the approaches of the international community regarding the resolution of the NK conflict concur with the official position of the Republic of Armenia, which we have stated for years on different occasions, it is not a propagandistic trick. Our precise position and unwavering stance, reasoning of our concerns and readiness to assume needed responsibility have got us to the point where the international community accepts our approaches as the most realistic and peace promoting. It is proved by the recent high-level statements regarding the Nagorno Karabakh issue.
In summer, we have reached an important milestone when the mediator states as well as the international community were anticipating that agreement on at least the basic principles of the resolution of the conflict were close at hand. With this regard, the meeting in Kazan was, in a way, a touchstone to evaluate the honesty and determination of the parties on the road toward speedy resolution of the conflict through peace negotiations. As we have seen, in Kazan Azerbaijan backtracked and refused to get to a common denominator, thus creating new obstacles for the future agreement.
Now, I am confident, you all want to know what’s next and what’s to be done. Regardless of Azerbaijan’s destructive position, Armenia, just like before will continue its efforts aimed at the resolution of the NK conflict exclusively through peaceful means, based on international law and principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations. However, no one must doubt our determination and clear cut position: there is a red line which we will never cross. We have stated it publicly, as well as in conversations with our partners, it is reflected in my pre-election program and many statements.
I am confident that many share the judgment that Baku is not ready for peace because it is impossible to establish peace while preaching war, or to reconcile societies while spreading Armenophobia, or build confidence while instigating arms race. Such behavior of Azerbaijan is unacceptable, and we will take adequate steps. Have no doubt that in case there is another reckless military scheme, Armenia will not hesitate to force the adversary into peace.
During our last meetings, we have also discussed our steps in the process of normalization with Turkey. It may seem that we should regret that we had initiated normalization of Armenia-Turkey relations because Turkey receded its obligations while we wasted huge political resources. I believe those present in this hall do understand that that initiative raised Armenia’s international prestige and dispelled illusions of our partners regarding old and new Turkey, revealing current political trends which we, Armenians learned through our historical experience.
Nevertheless, we are true to our course and position to establish relations with Turkey without preconditions. Turkey must find strength to respect its own obligations, and not bow to the discreditable demands of the regional country which considers itself to be a modern state.
However, the Turkish side should also realize that these Protocols will not remain open for ever. Many of our friends advised us to wait till parliamentary elections in Turkey. It means that in the coming months we will see if after the parliamentary elections Turkey has changed its approaches, although, to be honest, the last two months have not inspired much optimism. Based on that we will decide on our future steps regarding the Protocols.
I wish you, the moving force of our independent state’s diplomacy, be more confident, vigorous, enthusiastic and aim-oriented, ready for new diplomatic battles and victories.
I believe it would be redundant to speak about the importance of these meetings for holding comprehensive discussions on the issues facing the Armenian foreign policy and steps to deal with them. I am confident that these meetings indisputably enhance the efficiency of Armenia’s diplomatic service. However, before addressing other issues, I would like to speak about the most significant jubilee to be celebrated this year – the 20th anniversary of Armenia’s independence and accordingly the 20th anniversary of Armenia’s diplomatic service.
Soviet Armenia too had the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and many of its diplomats can serve as a bright example of patriotism for the younger generation. Those were people who even under Soviet rule would cherish and advance national ideals, believing deep in their hearts that one day those aspirations would appear on the foreign agenda of independent Armenia.
Today, it is necessary to glance back at the road covered by the RA diplomatic service. The service was formed in wartime, during an economic and social crisis. Many of you remember dire conditions in which our first embassies had to work.
We have passed test of time with honor. We have withstood multiple challenges and pressures, which often emanated from the changes in the foreign policy environment and international situation, sometimes also due to our own failings. Yes, we have overcome those challenges and pressures and never put our independence and security, our sovereignty and our achievements in danger. Furthermore, we have survived those pressures even more hardened, appearing before the world as a reliable partner whose words and deeds do not differ, who is not trying to shift its share of responsibility for international and regional problems to others.
Many of the issues we face still remain unsolved. However I have no doubt that our diplomacy will eventually crown with success our mission which we inaugurated with victories. I have said it before, I am saying it now: always remember that you are soldiers too, standing at the front line. The Armenian nation awaits for your success.
The time which passed after our previous meetings has been a period of boisterous developments for our foreign policy.
We have maintained intensive political dialogue with pivotal states and structures. Contacts and reciprocal visits with many leaders, including the heads of the UN Security Council member states are conducted on a regular basis. Relations and ties with friendly states have acquired a new quality and content. Armenia is bringing her active participation to the processes aimed at the enforcement of international security. Our position on the international arena have strengthened, our voice has become more audible and, most importantly, our viewpoints and positions regarding our region as well as important items of the international agenda concur with those of the international community.
This has been achieved not only through our enterprising and principled foreign policy but also through a successful implementation of the democratic reforms conducted in the country, through our resolve and consistency to carry out these reforms.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
This year, we have witnessed how South Sudan after decades of struggle achieved independence, augmenting the international experience of utilizing the right for self-determination with another precedent. The same will inevitably happen with Artsakh, even though today I yet cannot tell you that Azerbaijan has toned down in the NK peace negotiations.
I am sure you are aware of that process and in your working routine you are dealing regularly with different manifestations of that problem. When we state that today the approaches of the international community regarding the resolution of the NK conflict concur with the official position of the Republic of Armenia, which we have stated for years on different occasions, it is not a propagandistic trick. Our precise position and unwavering stance, reasoning of our concerns and readiness to assume needed responsibility have got us to the point where the international community accepts our approaches as the most realistic and peace promoting. It is proved by the recent high-level statements regarding the Nagorno Karabakh issue.
In summer, we have reached an important milestone when the mediator states as well as the international community were anticipating that agreement on at least the basic principles of the resolution of the conflict were close at hand. With this regard, the meeting in Kazan was, in a way, a touchstone to evaluate the honesty and determination of the parties on the road toward speedy resolution of the conflict through peace negotiations. As we have seen, in Kazan Azerbaijan backtracked and refused to get to a common denominator, thus creating new obstacles for the future agreement.
Now, I am confident, you all want to know what’s next and what’s to be done. Regardless of Azerbaijan’s destructive position, Armenia, just like before will continue its efforts aimed at the resolution of the NK conflict exclusively through peaceful means, based on international law and principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations. However, no one must doubt our determination and clear cut position: there is a red line which we will never cross. We have stated it publicly, as well as in conversations with our partners, it is reflected in my pre-election program and many statements.
I am confident that many share the judgment that Baku is not ready for peace because it is impossible to establish peace while preaching war, or to reconcile societies while spreading Armenophobia, or build confidence while instigating arms race. Such behavior of Azerbaijan is unacceptable, and we will take adequate steps. Have no doubt that in case there is another reckless military scheme, Armenia will not hesitate to force the adversary into peace.
During our last meetings, we have also discussed our steps in the process of normalization with Turkey. It may seem that we should regret that we had initiated normalization of Armenia-Turkey relations because Turkey receded its obligations while we wasted huge political resources. I believe those present in this hall do understand that that initiative raised Armenia’s international prestige and dispelled illusions of our partners regarding old and new Turkey, revealing current political trends which we, Armenians learned through our historical experience.
Nevertheless, we are true to our course and position to establish relations with Turkey without preconditions. Turkey must find strength to respect its own obligations, and not bow to the discreditable demands of the regional country which considers itself to be a modern state.
However, the Turkish side should also realize that these Protocols will not remain open for ever. Many of our friends advised us to wait till parliamentary elections in Turkey. It means that in the coming months we will see if after the parliamentary elections Turkey has changed its approaches, although, to be honest, the last two months have not inspired much optimism. Based on that we will decide on our future steps regarding the Protocols.
I wish you, the moving force of our independent state’s diplomacy, be more confident, vigorous, enthusiastic and aim-oriented, ready for new diplomatic battles and victories.