It is clearly impossible to have real and growing independence, prosperity, and security without peace. It is simply impossible. This was stated by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in an interview with Ambassador John Herbst, senior director of the Atlantic Council's Eurasia Center, after his speech at the Atlantic Council—and in response to the question why he is so resolutely moving towards peace with Azerbaijan

People and political forces in Armenia are discussing how it is possible and what is the most reliable tool to ensure the security of Armenia and its people. This is a really urgent and important question. And the answer is that peace is the only reliable tool for security, the only reliable tool for prosperity is peace, Pashinyan said.

Peace is key, even for democracy, because one cannot have democracy in an environment of war. Due to historical factors, people in Armenia are not very optimistic about the peace agenda. But on the other hand, if you asked him whether he is an optimist or a pessimist, he would answer that question by saying that he does not believe that one should be optimistic or pessimistic, and one should be proactive, creative, and continuously work towards the implementation of that agenda, Pashinyan added.

He noted that no one can guarantee that the process will be successful, and the only guarantee for it is persistent work, being creative and proactive, not giving up, and continuously working to achieve the desired.

Obviously, the potential benefits of peace are important not only for the people living in Armenia, but for the entire region, and even the international community will benefit from that peace, Pashinyan said

Thus, they perceive this process as their contribution to world peace because how is world peace and stability formed when as many interested parties in international relations as possible contribute to that cause, work in that direction, said the Armenian PM.

And they look at this process from that perspective, it is not only their duty to their citizens, to the region, but it is their responsibility to the international community, to international stability and peace, Pashinyan noted.

They hope that the international community will also look at this process from that perspective. They expect to receive the support of their international partners, their encouragement to continue on this path. This is the reason why they are trying to explain all the nuances of their intentions to their international partners, Pashinyan emphasized.