Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has spoken at the 2023 Summit for Democracy held in an online format at the initiative of the US President, Joe Biden, on Wednesday (29 March).
Beginning his short address, Prime Minister Pashinyan said that "despite the global and regional challenges Armenia consistently continues to implement [a] democratic reform agenda", and noted that Freedom House in its latest annual report on Net Freedom ranked Armenia as "free".
He also said that Armenia "continues tackling climate change for building a low-emission energy sector and a vibrant green economy", alongside strengthening democratic institutions in the country.
"There is no alternative to the peaceful development of the region"
Among heightened tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan over a number of recent developments on the ground in Nagorno-Karabakh, Pashinyan reaffirmed his country's commitment to the peace process.
He said, "I reiterate that Armenia remains committed to the peace process with Azerbaijan. We are convinced that there is no alternative to the peaceful development of the region and that sticking to democratic values will help us find a way to peace."
He ended his speech by saying that he believes "in the power of democracy – for peace, for freedom, for happiness."
Summit for Democracy
Held at the initiative of US President Joe Biden, the Summit for Democracy is co-hosted by the United States, Costa Rica, the Netherlands, South Korea, and Zambia. Kicking off the summit, each co-host leader hosted a live, fully virtual, thematic, leader-level plenary session, themselves interspersed with "spotlight interventions" by leading activists and civil society figures.
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres also delivered remarks. The Summit continues on Thursday 30 March.