The 3rd edition of Yerevan Dialogue commenced with an inaugural address by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia, Ararat Mirzoyan, who welcomed participants and highlighted the importance of sustained dialogue in navigating the evolving international landscape and addressing shared global challenges, and the speeches of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, President Emmanuel Macron and Secretary General Alain Berset.
Concerning peace, he particularly noted that it “must never be treated as a one-time achievement. It requires constant care, attention and reflection, because if you fail to invest in it, you will risk losing it. Peace, therefore, is not an event but an active choice we must make every single day. This, understandably, also involves addressing humanitarian issues, thus contributing to restoring trust and true reconciliation between societies.”
“He also mentioned that the strategy of storm-riding has led to a profound transformation in our partnerships beyond our region as well. Armenia has made a sovereign choice to pursue a balanced and balancing foreign policy, based not on dependence on one centre, but on building meaningful and mutually beneficial partnerships in many directions.”
A keynote address was delivered by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan, who emphasized the role of international cooperation and constructive engagement in promoting stability, peace, and development.
In his remarks, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan reflected on the profound transformation of Armenia’s geopolitical and economic positioning in recent years. He noted that while Armenia’s geographical coordinates have remained unchanged, the country’s geopolitical reality and strategic opportunities have significantly evolved. In this context, he emphasized the growing importance of renewable energy and highlighted Armenia’s substantial solar energy potential, noting that modern technological developments have effectively transformed perceptions of the country from one lacking energy resources into a state possessing virtually unlimited energy potential through sustainable energy development. He underlined that harnessing this emerging potential will remain an important priority for Armenia in the coming years.
The inaugural session also featured remarks by the President of the French Republic, Emmanuel Macron, who addressed key issues on the international agenda and underlined the importance of multilateral cooperation in the current geopolitical context.
In his remarks, President Emmanuel Macron described the current phase as “the moment of Armenia,” emphasizing the country’s growing regional and international role, ongoing peace efforts, and economic progress. He noted that developments which would have seemed unimaginable only a few years ago, including the organization of high-level European gatherings in Yerevan, reflect the profound transformations taking place in Armenia and the wider region.
President Macron particularly highlighted Armenia’s commitment to peace and normalization efforts, stressing the importance of courageous political choices aimed at advancing regional stability and cooperation. He also referred to Armenia’s recent economic progress as evidence that peace and prosperity can reinforce one another, while underlining the country’s increasing role as a platform for European dialogue and cooperation.
As a special guest, the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Alain Berset, participated in the session, reflecting the significance of the forum as a platform for inclusive and high-level dialogue.
