Hybrid attacks against Armenia are possible, in particular to endanger the country’s democracy and to make attempts through various fake news or vote-buying mechanisms by certain circles controlling billions of dollars, aiming to influence elections. Economy Minister Gevorg Papoyan told this to reporters at National Assembly on Monday, in response to reports that Armenia had asked the European Union (EU) for help to prevent external interference in next year’s parliamentary election in the country.

“There are certain countries that would purposefully not want free, democratic elections in Armenia and authorities elected by the people. Naturally, it is the sovereign right of countries to protect the interests of those states and peoples, and I think it is very normal for us [i.e. Armenia] to defend our democracy and our state from such attacks,” Papoyan added.

When asked whether Russia or the EU is waging a hybrid war in Armenia, the economy minister replied: “I did not give the name of any country or region. Any country or region, any individual—whether a former official, an oligarch of another country, or someone else—if they try to influence the elections of the Republic of Armenia through fraud, money, vote-buying, disseminating fake news, in general by affecting democracy through various attacks, I think it is not only the right of democracy but also the duty to defend itself and democracy. For that, one must have, yes, money, the necessary power, one must have knowledge, and act sharply and specifically at the right time.”

To the question as to whether Armenia needs the EU in this struggle, Papoyan said: “I believe the experience and history of democracy in EU countries, and their successful experience in defending against various hybrid attacks, can be applied. And who said that one day European countries decided they must be democratic and have all become democratic? Naturally, even today there are forces in those countries that carry out attacks on democracies. Democratic countries need to defend democracy with knowledge, power, and money so that the state can protect democracy and act sharply and specifically when necessary. Democracy is when the people choose the authorities they want, and vote of the people is not falsified, and the [political] force that receives the most votes in the elections is genuinely chosen by the people, without vote-buying, intimidation, forced registration, sending to elections—these are the characteristics of democratic elections.”

And when asked what “European experience” is considered successful, the Armenian official responded: “Well, if they created democracy and preserved and continue to preserve [it], it implies they have certain knowledge and mechanisms that enable democracy to defend itself. I will give you an example: when democracy failed to defend itself in Germany, as a result, for example, Hitler came to power.”