Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has arrived in the Republic of Poland on a two-day official visit.

As part of the visit, the Prime Minister will visit the Royal Castle Museum in Warsaw, as well as the Polish Institute of International Relations, where a meeting with representatives of Polish think tanks is scheduled.

During the official visit, Prime Minister Pashinyan will meet with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk. After the meeting, the Prime Ministers of Armenia and Poland will make joint statements to representatives of the mass media.

As part of the official visit, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan will also meet with the President of the Republic of Poland Karol Nawrocki and the Marshal of the Senate Malgorzata Kidawa-Błońska.

* * *

The official visit of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to Poland has kicked off. Prime Minister Pashinyan’s first stop was at the Warsaw Royal Castle Museum.

Accompanied by the director of the castle museum, Malgorzata Omilanowska, Nikol Pashinyan toured the exhibition halls, where collections of royal chambers, personal belongings of Polish kings, paintings and other European works of art were presented.

One of the exhibition halls also featured an exhibition of exclusive Armenian carpets from the Teresa Sahakian Foundation, which will be open for the next two months.

Prime Minister Pashinyan made a note in the Royal Castle Museum’s book of honorary guests.

* * *

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, who is in the Republic of Poland on an official visit, visited the Polish Institute of International Relations and met with foreign ambassadors, diplomats and representatives of think tanks in Poland.

Nikol Pashinyan made a speech, touching upon the peace established between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The Prime Minister emphasized that the architecture of peace is based on the 1991 Alma-Ata Declaration and the peace process reached its peak on August 8, with the signing of the joint declaration on the framework for peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan adopted in Washington on the initiative and participation of US President Donald Trump. According to the Prime Minister, without the participation, personal involvement and initiative of the US President, the peace process would have been uncertain, and it is undeniable that the initiative and participation of the US President played a very important role for peace in the region.

“Now it is very important to emphasize that 2025 was the first year since our independence when there were no border casualties due to gunfire between Armenian and Azerbaijani troops. And now there is real peace in our region,” Nikol Pashinyan noted, adding that peace is under construction, which must be taken care of. “That is the main idea that I am trying to convey to our people, that now we have peace, but peace must be strengthened, institutionalized, and for this we need to make continuous efforts, because peace exists, but it cannot be neglected, otherwise it may be destroyed,” the Prime Minister said.

The Prime Minister also spoke about other important stages for establishing peace in the region, including the meeting with the President of Azerbaijan at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron and the President of the European Council Charles Michel on October 6, 2022, within the framework of the first summit of the European Political Community. According to Nikol Pashinyan, with this, Armenia and Azerbaijan decided to recognize each other's territorial integrity, sovereignty, and political independence, based on the Alma-Ata Declaration.

In his speech, the Prime Minister also touched upon the work being done to implement the agreements reached, spoke about the strategic investment program, the Trump Route, and the unblocking of regional communications. “It is very important to note what will happen now, what the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity is. As I said, it is an investment project on the territory of Armenia and it will include a railway through the territory of Armenia, which will connect the east and the west, including the main part of Azerbaijan with the Autonomous Republic of Nakhchivan and will open the railway connection for Armenia to the south. Of course, it will also create new opportunities for the European Union, because as you know, due to the geopolitical situation, we now have a supply chain crisis in the world, and the Trump Route, which is a very important part of the Armenian Government’s “Crossroads of Peace” project, will create a new road, a new supply route from east to west, from the European Union to Central Asia, from Central Asia to the European Union,” Nikol Pashinyan noted.

In his speech, the Prime Minister also touched upon Armenia- Türkiye relations, emphasizing that in recent years there has been a fairly active dialogue with Türkiye.

“Of course, we are also grateful to our neighbors, as it is very important to note that our neighbors, Georgia and Iran, have always supported this peace process,” Nikol Pashinyan noted, adding that all states in the region are already feeling the benefits of peace and expressing confidence that this process will reconcile the entire region.

Summing up his speech, the Prime Minister noted: “We all consider the South Caucasus our home, and we need to take care of the South Caucasus. I believe that this process has begun, and to be honest, it is my impression and my conviction that this peace and this constructive process are irreversible.”

Then the Prime Minister answered questions of interest to foreign ambassadors, diplomats and representatives of think tanks in Poland.

* * *

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan visited the National Library of Poland located in the Palace of the Republic in Warsaw. During the tour, accompanied by Director Tomasz Makowski, the Prime Minister got acquainted with the library’s heritage.

The Skewra Gospel, a parchment manuscript from 1197, is on permanent display at the National Library, the illustrations of which belong to Grigor of Skewra, and the book was commissioned by Nerses Lambronatsi. According to the manuscript’s memoirs, it was created in 647 of the Armenian calendar, that is, in 1198/1199, during the reign of King Levon I of the Rubinyan dynasty and Catholicos Grigor V Apirat. It was noted that in 1997, after confirming the Armenian identity of the Gospel and obtaining the necessary permits, the manuscript was transferred to the Ordinary of the Armenian Rite in Poland, Cardinal Józef Glemp. In 2006, the Polish Archbishop Primate Glemp, responding to the request of representatives of the Polish Armenian community, signed an agreement with the Director of the National Library, according to which the Gospel was provided for safekeeping to the library and is currently on display.

The National Library of Poland also houses other exhibits representing the Armenian historical heritage.

* * *

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, who is on an official visit to the Republic of Poland, met with representatives of the Armenian community of Poland in Warsaw.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister touched upon the goals and expectations of his official visit to Poland, emphasizing the importance of the continuous development of relations and expansion of cooperation between Armenia and Poland. Nikol Pashinyan presented the priorities of the Armenian Government, speaking about the promotion of the peace agenda, unblocking regional communication routes, as well as steps being taken towards Armenia’s economic development.

The Prime Minister also touched upon the “Real Armenia” ideology, presenting its main principles.

At the end of the meeting, Nikol Pashinyan answered questions from those present, which related to the peace process with Azerbaijan, Armenia’s foreign policy, the prospects for Armenia-Poland cooperation, and other topics.

* * *

The official visit of Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan to the Republic of Poland continues.

The second day of the visit kicked off with the meeting between Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan and Prime Minister of the Republic of Poland Donald Tusk. First, an official welcoming ceremony took place, followed by a private meeting between the leaders of the two countries.

Donald Tusk welcomed the official visit of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, expressing confidence that it will give a new impetus to the development of bilateral relations in all directions. The Polish Prime Minister attached importance to the expansion of cooperation with Armenia, especially in the economy, infrastructure, security, education, science and other areas. Donald Tusk also emphasized the interest of the Polish Government in strengthening and deepening cooperation with Armenia, including as a member state of the European Union.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan expressed gratitude for the warm hospitality, emphasizing the importance of the continued development of multilateral cooperation with Poland. The Prime Minister highly appreciated the support provided by Poland in the implementation of institutional reforms in Armenia, expressing hope that it will be continuous. In the context of deepening trade and economic ties, Nikol Pashinyan attached importance to the promotion of economic cooperation. The Prime Minister also emphasized the role of Poland in the process of deepening Armenia-EU cooperation.

The interlocutors discussed a number of issues related to the implementation of joint programs. Reference was also made to the process of establishing peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan, the implementation of the TRIPP initiative, as well as topics related to the further development of Armenia-EU cooperation.

* * *

In the presence of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, an agreement on military-technical cooperation between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Poland was signed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan and the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of National Defense of Poland Władysław Kościńska-Kamiś.

Then the prime ministers of the two countries made statements for media representatives.

The statements of the prime ministers of Armenia and Poland are presented below.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk – Mr. Prime Minister, my friend, my good friend Nikol Pashinyan, we are very happy for our meeting in Warsaw today, precisely on the very day when Poland established diplomatic relations with Armenia on February 26, 1992.

I remember those days, those months, filled with anxiety, when we were establishing diplomatic relations with the states that were former Soviet states, when Poland was continuously encouraging those states that chose their independence. And that was a period when we understood very well the processes of the history of our two states and the dangers that threatened our countries.

Today I can say that Armenian-Polish relations, as well as our personal relations, have turned into friendship without any preconditions. We have similar goals. Armenians are highly valued in Poland.

I want to point out the work you have done. I know how much effort was needed to implement the political vision. You must be an example for following that political path. You must also present to the entire society that peace is extremely important. Peace is a priority. Although it is a difficult path and requires a lot of work, which is very commendable and appreciated by me. I wish the Armenian nation and you personally every success on that path.

I also want to say that it is very commendable that Armenia has taken the European path. This is a very active topic for discussions on how to expand the big family of the European Union. There was a very interesting incident when the Prime Minister of Iceland was here yesterday. A country that is from a different geographical direction and they want to organize a referendum soon. We were talking and we saw a very realistic vision of how we can open that path for the citizens of Armenia, so that it would be a practical process, a procedure. I would like to say that it is beneficial for everyone that we all work together, we get different ideas, different thoughts are expressed, but, nevertheless, we are inclined to accept all those countries that are bearers of the same values. I want to point out your efforts that Armenia is clearly following that path. We are very cautiously, but also clearly open to expanding the European Union for all those countries that choose democracy, independence, peace. I am confident that the policy you are pursuing is moving in that direction, and I would like to once again express my deep gratitude for your approach.

Minister Kościńska-Kamiś has been very involved in this security cooperation. This is evidenced by the signing of today's memorandum. We believe that the military cooperation that will be carried out in our security sector will be beneficial not only for Armenia, but for the entire region. We well acknowledge the importance of this circumstance. We know that both our countries, as well as both our prime ministers, know exactly what to do, how to do it, so that we are not alone, so that we are together and so that we can provide stable security to our countries, our peoples.

I am very grateful that you have come this long way and I am glad that your country is at the point where it is at the moment. I think we will continue our security cooperation.

Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan - Thank you, esteemed Mr. Prime Minister, esteemed guests, first of all, let me state that it is a great honor for me to be in Poland on an official visit. For quite a long time, there has not been a high-level, or even a top-level, visit by the Prime Minister of Armenia to Poland. I think this visit heralds and marks a new stage in our bilateral relations. But for me, Mr. Tusk, it is a special honor to receive an invitation from you and to receive such a warm welcome from you.

Today we meet you as the Prime Minister of Poland, but Armenia has very vivid memories of you and highly appreciates your activities as President of the European Council, because Armenia has always felt your support on the path of democratic reforms. And indeed, my personal experience during that time created a great reserve of trust, and I want to thank you for that, as well as for the support that Poland provides to the Republic of Armenia in various directions and areas, including within the framework of the European Union. We have felt that support.

It was very important for me and our delegation to hear your assessments, in particular, of the law on launching the process of accession to the European Union adopted in the Republic of Armenia last year, and the encouraging words that you said, indeed, give us new confidence to continue the path of democratic reforms with greater confidence, in which our primary task is to make Armenia a country in line with European and European Union standards.

I will not hide, and you know this, that democratic reforms are a very complex process. They bring with them challenges, they bring with them doubts, they bring with them accusations, and especially in today's world it is sometimes accepted or even attempted to create the impression that a democratic country means being a weak country, a democratic country means not being able to ensure and protect its own security. And I think that Poland in this regard is a very vivid example of how democracy can be combined with a strong security system, a strong economy and, of course, with strong partnerships in the international arena.

In this regard, I am pleased to note that our traditional historical ties are being supplemented by our democratic reform agenda, and I must state that we highly appreciate Poland’s support for Armenia’s democratic reforms and, of course, the peace process that is taking place in our region.

You know, when we were just announcing the path to adopting a peace strategy, and when I was presenting my vision of the peace process in Armenia in our parliament, one of the opposition deputies responded as follows, saying that I am talking about the South Caucasus as if I were talking about Europe. My response was the following: I said, are we sure that we know the history of Europe well? And Europe is an example for us in that regard, and to be honest, it is the example of Europe’s very complex, very brutal history in the peace process that ultimately led us to the conviction that, as you mentioned, peace is really the most important thing, because there are always arguments against peace. But it is very important to have and be able to rely on arguments that demonstrate the irreplaceability of peace, the irreplaceability of democracy, and the irreplaceability of freedom. And the path of freedom that Poland has taken and this process of building democracy, a democratic society, is, of course, exemplary for us.

Once again, let me thank you for the warm welcome and, of course, I look forward to seeing you at the Yerevan Summit of the European Political Community in May.

* * *

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan paid tribute at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Warsaw.

Accompanied by an honor guard, the Prime Minister laid a wreath at the monument and got acquainted about the history of the monument. The national anthems of Armenia and Poland were performed during the ceremony, and a military march was held.

* * *

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan met with Polish President Karol Nawrocki.

The latter welcomed the Prime Minister’s visit and highlighted the importance of the agreement signed today between Armenia and Poland in the military-technical sphere. Karol Nawrocki expressed confidence that the two countries will continue to develop and strengthen cooperation in all areas.

Prime Minister Pashinyan emphasized the importance of active cooperation between Armenia and Poland. The Prime Minister emphasized Poland’s role in deepening Armenia-EU ties, implementing and promoting democratic reforms in our country.

The interlocutors also exchanged views on other issues of regional importance.

* * *

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan met with Marshal of the Senate of the Republic of Poland, Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska.

The interlocutors highlighted the continuous development of interparliamentary cooperation and the deepening of interaction on international platforms.

During the meeting, the agenda of Armenia-Poland bilateral relations was discussed, as well as the prospects for the development of cooperation between the Republic of Armenia and the European Union.

The parties exchanged views on regional developments, as well as other issues of mutual interest.