Armenia's Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan issued a statement on May 9, the Victory and Peace Day.
In the statement, the Armenian Prime Minister paid tribute to the fallen troops of WWII. He also reiterated the Armenian government’s peace agenda in the region. Pashinyan reiterated that there will be no new war between Armenia and Azerbaijan. He said Armenia is taking the path of peace despite all domestic and foreign provocations.
Below is the full statement published by the Prime Minister’s Office.
“Dear people, dear citizens of the Republic of Armenia,
Today we celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union and Western Allies’ victory in the Second World War. That war erupted because of the Nazi (fascist) ideology established in Germany and several of its ally countries, the core content of which was about one nation or a group of nations being superior over another, or others. And numerous nations and states around the world united to prove otherwise, and won.
The Armenian people, as part of the armies of the Soviet Union, the Western Allies and covert resistance groups, had its contribution in that victory.
Today, we pay homage to all our compatriots. Today the world also faces the threat of Nazism, fascism, totalitarianism and all their manifestations, which is antithetical to the freedom and happiness of the individual, the nation and the state, and its main goal is to dominate, incite wars and restrict liberties.
The Republic of Armenia is taking another path, the path of freedom, democracy and peace. This path is not an easy one whatsoever, but it is a path worth passing, and fully passing that path and reaching an irreversible destination requires determination, faith, prudence and consistency. Passing that path requires bold, honest and complete self-reflection, the ability to read, fathom our own history and read and understand the messages sent to us from our history.
I have dedicated a significant part of my recent years’ work to discussions with citizens of the Republic of Armenia about the Real Armenia doctrine. This is an extremely important process. The Real Armenia doctrine is the result of reading and re-reading our history, the Real Armenia doctrine is the result of reading the messages sent to us by Historic Armenia, which tells us, ‘Don’t take my path, but focus on building freedom, happiness and welfare in the country of our dreams, the Republic of Armenia, and the objective of passing down that happy state from generation to generation.’
We have that chance today and we have the duty to take that chance.
Today, we also have the chance to have our share of contribution in the peaceful and prosperous future of our region: The draft agreement on Peace and Establishment of Interstate Relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan has been concluded and is awaiting its signing, and we will take that path. Our region has earned the right to live in peace and prosperity and that’s how it should be.
Despite all domestic and foreign provocations, there will be no war between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan, there will be peace!
Glory to the martyrs and long live the Republic of Armenia."
