Declaration of the democratic forces of Armenia about the country’s sovereignty, civilizational choice, and security environment

September 17, 2022

We, the democratic political and civil forces of the Republic of Armenia, confirm our loyalty to the sovereignty and democracy of Armenia as non-negotiable values, and our determination to protect them with all the means at our disposal. We also express our determination to continue supporting the self-defense of our compatriots of Artsakh, and the protection of dignity and rights, including the right to self-determination. We also consider it important to involve the potentiality of our compatriots living in the Diaspora in ensuring the democratic and technological progress of Armenia.
At the same time, we see the future of Armenia in the family of European nations, that believe in the universal value system, that Armenia has already chosen as a civilizational direction within the European Union, strongly based on the supremacy of democracy, human rights, and rule of law.
First of all, Armenia’s security is strongly based on our national unity, the full disclosure of national potential through the democratic system, well equipped, strong, and professional army, and then the establishment of deep and reliable political and military cooperation with real allies. The allies, reaffirmed their strong adherence to international law, the universality of its application, and objective, unbiased assessment of the situation towards the aggression of Azerbaijan against the Armenian people at the meeting of the UN Security Council during the September 15 session. Became of all this, it is possible to ensure the establishment of the long-awaited peace in our region and the formation of an atmosphere of cooperation.
We once again strongly condemn the war unleashed by Russia against Ukraine, the prelude to which was the 44 days war of September 2020 unleashed against the Armenian people by the authoritarian regime of Azerbaijan. We also state that today’s war unleashed by Azerbaijan against the Republic of Armenia is completely identical to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and differs from the latter only in scope and geography.
Awaiting the day when Russia will find its place among the leading democratic countries as blessed, today we strongly reject the imperialist and pilgrim foreign policy of the current Russian government towards Armenia, Ukraine, and other post-Soviet countries.
We demand that the Government of Armenia:
1. Take effective efforts in the direction of exiting from the CSTO – security structure led by Russia, and develop partnership alliances with our friendly Western countries.
2. Invite and deploy UN peacekeeping forces on the Armenia-Azerbaijan border.
3. Clean the state system of Armenia from agents of special services of foreign countries.
4. Block the broadcasting of Russian media promoting war and xenophobia in the territory of Armenia.

Signatures:
European Party of Armenia
National democratic pole
Union for National Self-Determination
For the Republic party
Council of the Armenian National Platform of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum
Hovsep Khurshudyan, “Free Citizen” Civic Initiatives Support Center
Ara Papyan, Modus Vivendi Center
Garegin Miskaryan, “Democratic Platform” Foundation
Gulnara Shahinyan, UN Special Rapporteur, “Democracy Today” NGO
Diana Yeghiazaryan, Federation of Youth Clubs
Hasmik Aslanyan, “Shogher Union” NGO
Harut Kalaijyan, “ProArmenia” NGO
Edgar Arakelyan, head of the “Free Armenia” initiative
Lusine Petrosyan, “Tatevik” NGO
Tehmine Enokyan, “Green Armenia” NGO
Knarik Garanfilyan, “Family and Community” NGO
Arzuman Harutyunyan, Association of Audio-Visual Journalists NGO
Oleg Dulgarian, “Center for Human Rights and Community Consolidation and Support” NGO
Andranik Papoyan, “PANDO” ADF
Grigor Yeritsyan, Armenian Progressive Youth NGO
Simon Sargsyan, editor-in-chief of Mitk.am news and analysis site
Rafael Mkhitaryan, “Third Nature” NGO
Azat Arshakyan, dissident, a former member of the RA National Assembly
Rafik Hakobyan, Ph.D. doctor, YSU professor
Levon Barseghyan, publicist
Mikael Hayrapetyan, politician
Karen Sargsyan, sociologist
Gohar Shahnazaryan, sociologist
Anush Poghosyan, psychologist
Heghine Manasyan, economist
Gayane Terzyan, pedagogue
Mari Chakryan, geo-ecologist, master, environmental management expert
Lilit Dallakyan, Master of Legal Sciences, Candidate of Political Sciences
Hasmik Tadevosyan, historian
Vazrik Petrosyan, RA citizen
Bagmajyan Gevorg – economist
Hovhannes Hovhannisyan, Green Investment Group

1 The National Democratic Alliance has reservations about Artsakh. It considers the resolution of the Artsakh issue on the basis
of the succession of the Republic of Armenia, with the restoration of the territorial integrity of the Republic of Armenia and the
re-establishment of the legal sovereignty of the Republic of Armenia. Accordingly, it considers the deployment of international
peacekeepers in the entire territory of RA, including Artsakh, appropriate.
2 The Modus Vivendi Center has reservations about Artsakh. It considers the resolution of the Artsakh issue on the basis of the
succession of the Republic of Armenia, with the restoration of the territorial integrity of the Republic of Armenia and the re-
establishment of the legal sovereignty of the Republic of Armenia. Accordingly, it considers the deployment of international
peacekeepers in the entire territory of RA, including Artsakh, appropriate.