Statement by H.E. Mr. Mher Margaryan, Permanent Representative of Armenia, at the UNGA 74 First Committee General Debate

18 հոկտեմբերի, 2019

Mr. Chairman,

Allow me first to congratulate you and the members of the Bureau on the assumption of the leadership of the Committee and to assure you of our full cooperation and support in fulfilling your important mandate.

Armenia continues to take a strong stance in supporting the full and universal implementation of the treaties and regimes in the area of disarmament, non-proliferation, conventional arms control, and confidence and security building measures. We closely cooperate on a regular basis with the international and regional organizations and partner countries to this end.
We consider the Treaty on Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) as the cornerstone of international endeavors to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons and strengthen the nuclear security architecture. The Government of Armenia supports the idea of the establishment of nuclear weapon free zones, as enshrined in Article VII of the Treaty, which can play an important role in promoting security and stability in various regions.

We hope that the 50th Anniversary of the NPT will give a new impetus for combined actions in regional, sub-regional and international levels for the comprehensive implementation of all commitments and obligations and to ensure a successful outcome of the 2020 NPT Review Conference.

I want to reiterate Armenia’s support to the International Atomic Energy Agency in facilitating and coordinating nuclear security activities among Member States. Armenia has always had an excellent record of close cooperation with all relevant structures of International Atomic Energy Agency. A number of IAEA's on-site inspections and assessment missions have reaffirmed Armenia's commitment in implementing its international obligations and the highest level of openness and transparency.

We also attach particular importance to counter-proliferation initiatives such as the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism and Proliferation Security Initiative. The Government of Armenia is continuously working with its international partners at bilateral and multilateral levels to further enhance its national capabilities in countering nuclear smuggling.

Mr. Chairman,

We firmly believe that Biological Weapons Convention is one of the key components of the global community’s efforts to attain a world free from weapons of mass destruction. Further progress in the implementation of the Convention requires intensive international cooperation. Concerted efforts are needed in order to fully utilize the existing opportunities and effectively counter threats derived from the rapid progress of science and biotechnology. In this regard, the annual confidence-building measures exchange is of significant importance towards strengthening confidence and compliance with the provisions of the Convention.

Mr. Chairman,

Armenia underscores the importance of the regional disarmament. We are convinced that peace and security at a global level directly depend on regional and sub-regional stability. In this regard, an effective, functioning, and comprehensive Conventional Arms Control regime is one of the cornerstones of the regional security architecture. Armenia reiterates its principal stance that implementation of all legally binding obligations under the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe is key to ensuring transparency, predictability and military balance. Invoking political disputes to justify open incompliance with the Treaty provisions is unacceptable and should be resolutely rejected by the international community.

Likewise, Armenia is a strong advocate of confidence building measures at the regional and sub-regional level, which can reduce tensions and consolidate the existing security arrangements, thus creating a conducive environment for addressing conflict related issues. In light of the growing trend of military posturing, such as unnotified large-scale military exercises in border areas and attempts of uncontrolled and destabilizing military buildup, the implementation of existing regional confidence building measures gains particular relevance.

Mr. Chairman,

Armenia views its participation in peacekeeping operations as an important contribution to the preservation and maintenance of international peace and security. We have been expanding the level of our involvement in UN and UN-mandated peace and stability operations, including in the framework of the UNIFIL and MINUSMA. Armenia is also a contributor to the missions in Kosovo and Afghanistan.

In February of this year, the Government of Armenia adopted the National Action Plan for the implementation of UN Security Council resolution 1325, thus further consolidating the agenda of women, peace and security in its national policies. Among other topics, the National Action is mainstreaming the role of women in the security sector reform. Armenian women peacekeepers are currently involved in the UN and UN mandated operations.

Mr. Chairman,

Armenia reiterates its full commitment to work together with UN relevant bodies and member states to redouble the collective efforts to fight against terrorism, which continues to pose a serious threat to international peace and security. We unequivocally denounce terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and fully support the work of the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UN OCT) and the activities of the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED) in strengthening the UN counter-terrorism coordination and coherence.

In conclusion, Mr. Chairman, I would like to reiterate that Armenia is fully committed to contributing to the work of the Committee with a view of advancing cooperation under the international security and disarmament agenda.

I thank you.

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