Statement in response to the address of H.E. Mr. Pere Joan Pons Sampietro, President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, as delivered by Ambassador Andranik Hovhannisyan at the meeting of the Permanent Council

22 January, 2026

Mr. Chairperson,

The Delegation of Armenia warmly welcomes H.E. Mr. Pere Joan Pons Sampietro, President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, to the Permanent Council and thanks for his address.

Armenia attaches great importance to sustained dialogue and close cooperation between the Permanent Council and the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly. This relationship should not only be preserved, but further strengthened. We particularly value the Assembly’s reaffirmed role as a strong partner in advancing our shared objectives and in harnessing the potential of parliamentary diplomacy to address pressing challenges across the OSCE area.

Advancing these shared objectives requires dialogue on security concerns; a kind of an open, candid, and comprehensive dialogue for which the OSCE was established. In this context, we agree with you, Mr. President, that security can neither be selective, nor unilateral, but only shared. We therefore note with satisfaction your emphasis on dialogue, which we consider indispensable.

The parliamentary dimension is crucial for fostering peace and security. As representatives of the people, parliamentarians bear a responsibility to uphold democratic values, promote dialogue and confidence-building, and create opportunities for cooperation. These objectives are especially needed today.

Mr. Chair,

We appreciated the recent visit to Armenia by the Vice-President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and Special Representative on the South Caucasus, Mr. Luís Graça. During his visit, he had the opportunity to receive first-hand information on the peace efforts on the ground, including the impact of the border demarcation process on local communities.

Mr. Graça also participated in the conference on “Developing Parliamentary Integrity Standards,” hosted by the National Assembly of Armenia. Organized in partnership with the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, the conference focused on strengthening integrity standards through codes of conduct, conflict-of-interest regulations, ethical norms, and best practices across the region, with a view to enhancing transparency, accountability, and public trust in democratic institutions.

Armenia attaches great importance to parliamentary integrity, including within international parliamentary platforms. Corruption in interparliamentary fora, where such practices can serve the interests of certain states at the expense and to the detriment of others, must not be tolerated.

Armenia also values the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s contribution to the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms. The Assembly plays an important role in advancing democratic reforms and ensuring accountability. In this regard, the OSCE PA’s election observation missions constitute an essential pillar in safeguarding democratic processes throughout the OSCE area.

In conclusion, we reiterate Armenia’s firm commitment to dialogue and cooperation within the OSCE’s parliamentary dimension and wish you, Mr. President, every success in your important work.

Thank you.

MFA RA
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