Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has said “Armenia is more independent, more sovereign, and more secure than ever” thanks to a shift toward a legitimacy-based security strategy focused on internationally recognized borders.
Speaking at the “Comprehensive Security and Resilience” international conference, Pashinyan noted that Armenia’s previous reliance on military alliances and military strength alone failed to protect the country’s security. He said the turning point came after the 2020 war and subsequent border escalations, which forced Armenia to reassess its approach.
Pashinyan said that recognizing Armenia’s own territorial integrity under the 1991 Alma-Ata Declaration – and seeking reciprocal recognition from Azerbaijan – has become the cornerstone of his government’s policy. He highlighted the 2022 Prague meeting, where Armenia and Azerbaijan agreed in principle to respect each other’s territorial integrity, as a “strategic breakthrough” that now underpins peace efforts.
“Our strategy is to base Armenia’s security first and foremost on legitimacy,” Pashinyan said. “This has opened unprecedented opportunities for international cooperation, including in defense procurement.”
The prime minister also stressed that the Armenian army’s mission is strictly limited to defending the country’s internationally recognized 29,743 km² territory, adding that other security tools must come before military force.
Concluding his speech, Pashinyan reaffirmed that peace with Azerbaijan is achievable: “I repeat with full responsibility – there will be no war between Armenia and Azerbaijan, there will be peace.”
