Renewing Armenia’s commitment made 25 years ago to democracy and human rights

Addressing the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of Armenia's accession to the Council of Europe, Ararat Mirzoyan, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Armenia, reiterated Armenia's choice for peace and cooperation, spoke about the reforms implemented over the past years, and stressed that today's common challenges can only be addressed through joint efforts.

"Hybrid attacks against democracies, including malicious spread of disinformation and weaponisation of information; foreign interference into domestic democratic processes such as elections; undermining of international law and the erosion of the multilateral system, - all of these put our values and principles to the test, and it is our shared responsibility to safeguard them in an increasingly complex and fragile international environment," Mirzoyan said. "Тhe 75-year legacy of the Council of Europe as a standard-setter of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law empowers the organisation to expand its role in countering global democratic backsliding and contributing to the restoration of trust in the international architecture."

Reforms mean improvements to lives of citizens

Speaking about the reforms that Armenia has implemented since its accession to the Council of Europe, the Minister stressed that "each reform, each ratified convention, each institutional development has meant not just a technical change, but a tangle and practical improvement in the lives of ordinary citizens". He specifically mentioned the right of people to take a case to the European Court of Human Rights, the establishment of the Human rights defender institution, the Venice Commission's work to ensure that legislative reforms met international standards, the important role of the Council of Europe's Group of states against corruption and the European Charter of local self-government that empowers local communities.

Commitment to improved relations in the South Caucasus and wider region

In his address Minister Mirzoyan reiterated Armenia's commitment to lasting peace and stability in the region: "Despite the painful experiences of recent years, including the war and the humanitarian consequences that followed, Armenia has made a clear and deliberate choice for peace, taking strong steps that enabled the South Caucasus to move to peace and cooperation in the region and beyond." He emphasised that "respect for human rights and dignity is crucial to restoring trust and reconciliation between societies, turning the page on decades of suffering and paving the way for a peaceful future."

Minister Mirzoyan underlined Armenia's firm dedication to the full normalisation of relations with Türkiye. He furthermore outlined developments in Armenia's vision of European integration, and reminded the members assembled that in May 2026 Armenia will host the eighth summit of the European Political Community.

Following the address to the Parliamentary Assembly, Minister Mirzoyan presented to the Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset an official gift from Armenia - a reproduction of the manuscript of the first Armenian legal code, the Datastanagirk, which was created in the XII century.

A ceremony of the official launch of the postage stamp dedicated to the 25th anniversary of the Republic of Armenia's accession to the Council of Europe, with the participation of the Minister, the Secretary General, and the President of the Parliamentary Assembly, also took place.

Read the Secretary General's speech in full

Armenia and the Council of Europe

Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe

Secretary General Alain Berset