Whenever we speak about democracy, human rights and freedom of expression, we first say that those are European values. Naturally, I agree with that. But allow me to say that in our perception they are no less and equally Armenian values, the Prime Minister of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan, on Thursday at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), in Strasbourg, France

According to him, "we do not see democracy as something we have imported; it is a value system that rhymes with how our people think – it is in line with the mindset, aspirations and wishes of our people. 

Nikol Pashinyan noted that Armenia’s 18-year-long membership of the Council of Europe and the work we have both carried out in that time has significantly contributed to the consolidation of democratic institutions in Armenia. 

"From that point of view, the Council of Europe’s engagement with Armenia has been productive. As I said, there is a personal element to this. Once I managed to stay out of prison thanks to the Council of Europe and once I was freed from prison," the Prime Minister concluded.