Armenia to revise national security strategy, Pashinyan announces

Armenia will introduce changes to its national security strategy, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced.

Speaking at the Ministry of Defence on January 28, on the occasion of the 33rd anniversary of the Armenian Armed Forces, Pashinyan emphasised the military’s pivotal role in the country’s security framework, Caliber.Az reports, citing Armenian media.

"Today marks the 33rd anniversary of our army. In accordance with the national security strategy, which will, of course, be revised and transformed in the near future, the army holds a leading position in our state and within our system of national values," he stated.

The prime minister further underscored the significance of the armed forces in Armenia’s statehood and national identity. "The army is a state value. For me, the first priority is the Republic of Armenia, statehood, independence, and the backbone of that statehood—the army, the armed forces. And the army and the armed forces are people, first and foremost. People should feel appreciated, respected, and dignified," he added.

The announcement comes as Armenia continues to redefine its foreign and security policies. Earlier in January, the Armenian government approved a draft law initiating the process of the country's accession to the European Union. 

At the same time, Armenia’s stance on its membership in the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) remains a point of speculation. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov recently stated that Armenia had not yet officially notified Moscow of any plans to withdraw from the bloc.

By Vugar Khalilov