On October 5, Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian participated in “The Challenges Annual Forum 2015” organized by the Institute for National Strategic Studies of the Ministry of Defense of Armenia. Seyran Ohanian, Minister of Defense, Edmond Mulet, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, around 60 representatives from two dozen countries attended the event.

In his remarks, Minister Nalbandian, particularly mentioned.

“I am pleased to welcome you at “The Challenges Annual Forum 2015” meeting. During short period, the Forum has become an important platform of strategic dialogue on peacekeeping missions between the political scientists, analysts and experts.

Today, when we are celebrating the 70th anniversary of the end of WWII, the peace, stability and security challenges that the humanity faces have never been so acute as they currently are.

This year we also celebrate the 70th anniversary of foundation of the United Nations, an organization which aims to establish peace and prevent security challenges. As Ban Ki-Moon, the UN Secretary General, has recently noted, the demand for peacekeeping has never been greater, however, situations into which peacekeepers are deployed have never been more challenging.

The subject which will be discussed during the upcoming two days, in fact, is extremely actual, particularly, within the context of new challenges the humanity faces. Existing and newly developing crises in different parts of the world, including armed conflicts, unfortunately, are part of our daily lives.

It’s noteworthy that only last week two important events took place within the framework of UN General Assembly – the Leaders' Summit on Peacekeeping and the meeting of Foreign Ministers of the OSCE participating-states on peacekeeping operations. Armenia actively participated in those meetings. Hosting the current event in Yerevan, Armenia once again outlines its commitment to promote international efforts aimed at the establishment and strengthening of peace.

Armenia attaches great importance to its gradually increasing involvement and contribution to peacekeeping and is consistently building and enhancing its relevant capabilities. International cooperation, bilateral partnership and support play an essential role in maintaining the involvement of countries with relatively limited potential. The support of the United States, Greece, Italy, Germany to Armenia towards the development of its peacekeeping capabilities is one of the best examples.

In September Armenia assumed the Chairmanship at the Collective Security Treaty Organization and we highlighted the immense role of development of peacekeeping capabilities within the framework of the Organization. In that regard, we attach great importance to the CSTO cooperation with the UN Department for Peacekeeping Operations within the framework of Memorandum signed in 2012.

Armenia’s approach to peacekeeping operations, which was also presented by the Minister of Defense, can be evaluated by the geography of our involvement in current and previous peacekeeping operations – Afghanistan, Iraq, Kosovo, Lebanon and Mali.

Being established in late 1940s as a specific tool of the UN’s international role, the peacekeeping has been developed, expanded and modified in accordance with the new challenges that the humanity faces. The new developments, problems and goals have requested unbiased assessment of undertaken path, outlining of upcoming steps and evaluation of relevant guidelines. We are attentively following the development of concept of the peacekeeping operations and the practice of new approaches. In this regard, we attach importance to the report presented to the UN Secretary General by the Independent High-level Panel on Peace Operations. The report, which provides comprehensive and balanced approach, can serve as a basis for the future practical steps. I would like to outline some essential conclusions of the report.

First, lasting peace can be achieved through political solutions, not by force. They must be approved by all parties involved in the conflict. The political solutions should decide and guide the format and possible deployment of the peacekeeping operations.

In this context I would like to touch upon the settlement process of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Within the OSCE, the member-states made a commitment to settle the existing conflicts within the framework of the agreed formats through peaceful negotiations. As the agreed format of the Nagorno-Karabakh is the Co-Chairmanship of the OSCE Minsk Group, therefore, all international efforts aimed at the settlement of this conflict should be taken in line with this framework and approach. The Minsk Group Co-chairs have stated on numerous occasions, including on the level of the Presidents of the Co-Chair countries, that international security guarantees, including a peacekeeping operation, are one of the key elements of the conflict settlement. The goal is to separate armed forces and maintain peace in case of political resolution of the conflict. On the ground the Minsk Group Co-Chairs are assisted by the team led by the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, which is the only permanent representation in the conflict zone, monitoring the maintenance of cease-fire. The enhancement of capabilities of this mission can promote the strengthening of stability.

Second, the priority should be given to the mediation and prevention of conflicts.

Let me once again go back to the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. In this regard I have to mention that activities implying an international mandate of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs involve not only mediation, but effective prevention mechanisms as well. Installment of mutual trust and security measures proposed by the Co-Chairs, particularly creation of a mechanism for investigating ceasefire violations and incidents, can serve an effective preventive tool. In their statement of September 28th the Co-Chairs once again reiterated this proposal.

Third, mandates and missions must be based not on general approaches or templates, but should be specially developed to support the implementation of political decisions. It is necessary to develop individual approach for each situation to avoid damaging or interfering with the ongoing processes within agreed formats.

I would like to conclude by quoting the statement of the President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan at UN Summit on Peacekeeping: “Preservation of international peace and security is a primary responsibility for all. It is obvious that a peaceful and safe world may be secured solely by comprehensive, joint and careful measures to be taken”.