The President of the Republic of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan issued a welcoming address to the Annual International Academic Forum organized by the Institute for National Strategic Studies, MOD and Political Science Association of Armenia.

In his address, the President greeted the participants and guests of the already traditional international conference “Regional Security Dynamics in the South Caucasus” on the occasion of its transformation into the Annual Forum.

“The importance of the topic of the Forum is verified both regarding the security interests of the regional states and the authority and influence of the present specialists and experts,” the address said.

“The geopolitical processes occurring in the South Caucasus are complex and often difficult to foresee, influenced by regional and extra-regional power centers’ interest pooling and competition. This fact creates both additional opportunities and certain challenges for the regional states,” the presidential address said.

“Armenia’s foreign policy is based on the mutually advantageous cooperation with regional and global actors, mutual respect, and principle of interest pooling. Armenia is convinced that the existing conflicts can be settled only by peaceful negotiations on the basis of fundamental principles of the international law. For the Republic of Armenia the OSCE Minsk Group format is the only acceptable platform for the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. I want to put a special emphasize on the fact that a long lasting peace and stability can be achieved in the region only in case the Nagorno Karabakh population’s physical security and the right to independently decide its fate are guaranteed,” the presidential address said, urging Karabakh involvement in conflict settlement.

The arms race unleashed by Azerbaijan in the region, its bellicose statements and the propaganda of hatred against Armenians at the highest state level seriously undermine the security not only of Armenia but also of the entire South Caucasus. Under these conditions Armenia is forced to focus greater attention on reforming and improving its defense system as a key factor in containing the belligerent ambitions of Azerbaijan and ensuring stability in the South Caucasus.

In 2008, Armenia initiated the process of Armenian-Turkish rapprochement offering as a first step the establishment of diplomatic relations and opening of the border without preconditions. In contrast to Turkey, Armenia still adheres to the principles underlying the rapprochement,” the address said.

“Realizing the significance of the involvement of the experts’ potential in the state-level policy developing and preparing the drafts of strategic decisions, Armenia highly evaluates the organization of the Annual International Forum in Yerevan dedicated to the regional security dynamics with the participation of international distinguished analysts,” the address concluded.