Work of the 108th NATO PA Rose-Roth Seminar Concludes in Yerevan

On September 23, the work of the 108th NATO Parliamentary Assembly Rose-Roth Seminar continued in Yerevan. The agenda focused on the theme: “Armenia and the South Caucasus in a Changing World: Strengthening Democracy and Regional Security.”

Within the panel on “Strengthening Democratic Resilience in Armenia and Beyond,” speakers addressed mechanisms for enhancing democratic resilience and overcoming existing challenges.

“Armenia has registered significant democratic progress in recent years, but the country still faces substantial internal and external difficulties that test its resilience,” noted Antje Fritz, Deputy Head of the Operations Division for Europe and Central Asia at the Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance. She stressed that domestic and international stakeholders must ensure that there is no regression in key areas of reform.

“We see that our Armenian partners are working tirelessly and with determination to carry out reforms,” Fritz added, emphasizing that such efforts will take time—a fact that must be accepted not only by international partners but also by domestic stakeholders. Speaking about democratic resilience, she underlined that it is vital for preventing regional instability: resilient democracies are better equipped to overcome complex global challenges.

“The decline of democratic resilience can embolden authoritarian states. When democracy retreats, a state becomes vulnerable,” she warned, adding that democratic reforms in the fields of security and defense are a strategic necessity.

Arthur Sakunts, Head of the Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly Vanadzor Office, stressed that after the Velvet Revolution, Armenia launched the process of restoring democratic institutions. However, the country’s democratic development has faced major challenges—the COVID-19 pandemic and the 44-day war. For a newly emerging democracy, he noted, such challenges were particularly difficult.

Addressing the establishment of peace in the region, Sakunts expressed the view that only peace based on democratic values and the rule of law can be lasting. He highlighted the importance of strengthening mechanisms of civilian oversight over security structures and safeguarding human rights in the armed forces, in police relations, and in penitentiary institutions. He also pointed to the need for reforms in various spheres and discussed challenges in the region.

Edgar Khachatryan, Founder and President of the NGO “Peace Dialogue,” focused on reforms in Armenia’s security sector, stressing that these are essential for democratic resilience. Today, Armenia is transforming its security institutions under conditions of both complex geopolitical challenges and internal change. He stressed that reforms must be transparent, accountable, and inclusive, strengthening democracy, public trust, and resilience while upholding democratic norms. Khachatryan presented a developed roadmap, identifying key security challenges, including Soviet legacy and outdated doctrines, persistent regional tensions, geopolitical dependence, hybrid pressures, disinformation campaigns, fragmentation, public distrust, weak oversight, and institutional resistance. In this context, he outlined seven strategic pillars for reform.

Before the discussion on security and hybrid threats in Armenia and the region, U.S. Ambassador to Armenia Kristina Kvien delivered remarks, addressing the pre-signing of the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace agreement in Washington, subsequent processes, and effective Armenia-U.S. cooperation in various fields. “The United States is already advancing the implementation of the August 8 agreements,” the Ambassador said, outlining specific steps in that regard.

According to Ambassador Kvien, Armenia and Azerbaijan need to sign and ratify the peace agreement pre-signed in Washington, and the sooner peace is finalized, the faster its benefits will materialize. She also welcomed progress in Armenia-Turkey relations, stressing that continued advancement and normalization would bring significant benefits to both countries and the wider region.

Adam Reichardt, Editor-in-Chief of New Eastern Europe magazine, discussed security and hybrid threats, economic pressures, and challenges, highlighting the strategic importance of the South Caucasus, including for EU and NATO member states. He noted that Armenia has begun to take hybrid attacks seriously, adopting a 2024–2026 strategy to combat disinformation. “When society becomes more resilient, it is harder to exploit hybrid tactics,” Reichardt emphasized, adding: “NATO wants Armenia, Georgia, and Azerbaijan to remain sovereign, resilient, and open to Euro-Atlantic cooperation.”

Stepan Safaryan, Founder and Director of the Armenian Institute of International and Security Affairs, also delivered remarks, presenting his assessments of threats facing Armenia. He stressed that in the past five years, Armenia has confronted serious challenges and threats directed against its statehood.

“2026 will be a year of high risk in terms of hybrid threats to Armenia. In this context, the attention of the international community and our strategic partners is critical, since Europe’s security also begins here,” Safaryan underlined.

In the final part of the seminar, participants exchanged views on economic challenges and cooperation in the South Caucasus. They addressed regional growth trends and main obstacles to development, highlighting the importance of establishing peace and fostering interconnected cooperation among regional states. The crucial significance of unblocking regional infrastructure was emphasized, with special attention given to the Armenian Government’s “Crossroads of Peace” project.

At the conclusion of the seminar, NATO PA Vice President Agnes Vadai highlighted the importance of the two-day discussions. She stressed that the NATO PA welcomes and supports Armenia’s efforts to strengthen democracy and values the country’s aspirations for a more peaceful region.

The two-day seminar brought together around 160 delegates from member and associate countries, international and local experts, representatives of civil society organizations, and the diplomatic corps.

The event was organized in cooperation with the NATO PA Economics and Security Committee and the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia.