Brussels, 26 August 2026— Yesterday, the Europeans For Artsakh Platform released a statement to condemn the recent statements made by a deputy of the ruling power of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia, directed against the Armenian Diaspora and structures advocating for pan-Armenian interests. The EAFJD lends its full support to the statement:
EUROPEANS FOR ARTSAKH Statement
We, on behalf of the “Europeans for Artsakh” initiative, express our deep concern and firmly condemn the recent statements made by a deputy of the ruling power of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia, directed against the Armenian Diaspora and structures advocating for pan-Armenian interests.
The Diaspora is neither a competitor to the Republic of Armenia nor a threat to Armenian statehood. The Diaspora is an integral part of the pan-national potential of the Armenian people, with its organizations, communities, intellectuals, benefactors, and decades of political and diplomatic work.
Therefore, linking the empowerment of the Diaspora to the weakening of Armenia is not only a dangerous misconception, but also a deeply divisive approach that attempts to pit two inseparable components of the Armenian people against each other.
It is equally unacceptable to portray the work of structures defending pan-Armenian interests as a phenomenon contradicting the state interests of Armenia. For decades, their work, from the international recognition of the Armenian Genocide to the protection of the rights of the Armenians of Artsakh, has been carried out for the benefit of the dignity, rights, and pan-national interests of the Armenian people.
Particularly concerning and condemnable is also the attitude adopted by today’s authorities toward the issue of the Armenian Genocide, which displays a dangerous evasiveness and belittles the importance of the historical memory of the Armenian people and the demand for justice.
The struggle for the international recognition and condemnation of the Armenian Genocide is not a political issue subject to bargaining; it is an inseparable part of the historical memory, dignity, and rights of the Armenian people.
Today, when the Armenians of Artsakh have been subjected to forced displacement and the Armenian heritage of Artsakh is under serious threat, we expected from Armenia’s state representatives not attacks directed against the Diaspora, but pan-national solidarity and unified efforts toward a just resolution of the Artsakh issue.
We reject the mindset that the interests of Armenia and the Diaspora must be pitted against each other. A strong Armenia and a strong Diaspora are not a contradiction, but rather two complementary pillars of the same national strength.
We, Armenian citizens living in European countries and our European partners who are friends of Armenia, will continue to defend the rights of the Armenian people, the right of return for the Armenians of Artsakh, the preservation of Armenian cultural heritage, and the just demands of structures defending pan-Armenian interests. No official statement can compel us to abandon our historical memory, the defense of our national rights, or our responsibility toward Artsakh.
The strength of Armenia and the Diaspora is the strength of one complete whole.
“Europeans for Artsakh”
Respectfully,
Signatories
Belgium
Karen Tatevosian – President of the Assembly of the Armenians in Belgium
Bulgaria
Sahak Tchalekian – Co-President of the Association of the Armenian Unions of Bulgaria
Czechia
Aleksandr Sargsyan – President of the Armenian Apostolic Church Council of Czechia
Cyprus
Vahan Aynedjian – President of the Diocesan Council of the Armenians in Cyprus
Greece
Nazar Avakian – President of the Central Council of the Armenians in Greece
Italy
Baykar Szavlian – President of the Cultural Union of Armenians in Italy
France
Mourad Papazian — Co-Chair, Conseil de Coordination des Organisations Armdniennes de France (CCAF)
Germany
Jonathan Spangenberg – President of the Central Council of Armenians in Germany
The Netherlands
Noubar Vartanian – Representative of the Armenian Community of Almelo
Romania
Zareh Nazaryan – Vice-President of the Union of Armenians of Romania
Spain
Ararat Ghukasyan – Representative of the Armenian Community of Valencia
Sweden, Norway, Denmark
Simon Der Sahakian – Co-Moderator of the Scandinavian Armenian Union
United Kingdom
Garen Arevian – President Armenian Community Council of the United Kingdom
Coordinator
Kaspar Karampetian – Belgium
