Armenia has taken decisive steps towards regional peace and stability  - RA Permanent Rep to U.N. 

ArmInfo.  Below is a statement by H.E. Mr. Paruyr Hovhannisyan, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Armenia to the UN, at the UN Security Council Open Debate

Mr. President,

We thank the presidency for organizing this UN Security Council Open  Debate focused on the role of multilateralism in promoting the  peaceful settlement of disputes. We also express our appreciation to  distinguished briefers for their valuable contributions to the  debate.

Mr. President,

While all Member States of the United Nations are bound by their  commitment to seek settlement of disputes by peaceful means in  accordance with the UN Charter and international law, we regretfully  continue to witness proliferation of conflicts across the globe and a  sustained pattern of the use or threat of force to advance political  goals. Racism, xenophobia, state-led policies of incitement to hatred  on ethnic and religious grounds, disinformation, fabricated  historical narratives used to justify aggression continue to  undermine international peace and security in various parts of the  world.

We attach great importance to international legal mechanisms that  prevent grave violations of international law and ensure  accountability. In this vein, the imperative for robust early warning  and early action mechanisms are critical with the central role of the  United Nations Security Council as the primary body mandated to  maintain international peace and security.

This should include effective conflict prevention mechanisms that  remove incentives for escalation and belligerence in bilateral and  regional relations and that ensure accountability for violations of  international law.

Arms control, disarmament and nonproliferation play an indispensable  role in ensuring military and political stability at international,  regional, and sub-regional levels. We have consistently advocated for  the full implementation of arms control agreements, coupled with  unwavering adherence to the guiding principles of the Arms Control  regime, as an essential prerequisite for sustainable peace and  security.

Mr. President,

Armenia, remaining faithful to achieving just and lasting peace in  the region and building good neighbourly relations, has taken  decisive steps towards regional peace and stability.

As a result of consistent efforts just a few months ago Armenia and  Azerbaijan finalized the text of the draft Agreement on Peace and the  Establishment of Diplomatic Relations. Armenia has also announced its  readiness to begin consultations on the venue and timing for signing  this historic agreement. We stand ready to seize this momentum to  bring peace to our peoples.

We have introduced important initiatives, such as the "Crossroads of  Peace", aimed at opening all regional communications for the movement  of people and goods across the South Caucasus, based on the respect  for the sovereignty, national jurisdiction, as well as equality and  reciprocity. This initiative is a real and tangible invitation to all  our neighbors, to shift the paradigm in our region from confrontation  to trade, cultural exchanges and people to people contacts, as vital  catalyst for peace.

To build another layer of confidence and promote peace in our  relations with Azerbaijan we have submitted a written proposal to  Azerbaijan for establishing a bilateral mechanism for mutual arms  control. We are convinced that through bilateral arrangements we can  promote transparency, build confidence, and reduce misperceptions and  security risks.

Mr. President,

In conclusion, we once again reaffirm our commitment to effective  multilateralism with the United Nations at its core, which is capable  to prevent and respond to situations, which, if left unaddressed,  could lead to dangerous escalations and grave violations.  I thank  you.