Deputy Permanent Representative of Armenia to UN presents official  Yerevan`s position on situation in Middle East 

ArmInfo.  Below is a statement Deputy Permanent Representative of Armenia to the UN Zhirayr Ananyan made at the UN Security Council Open Debate on 

Mr. President,

We extend our gratitude to the Presidency of Somalia in the United  Nations Security Council for convening this Open Debate on the  situation in the Middle East and thank the briefers for their  insightful remarks.

Due to its geographic proximity to the Middle East, historically  friendly relations with the countries of the region, as well as the  sizable presence of Armenian communities across the region, Armenia  has always closely followed developments in the Middle East and  contributed to international efforts aimed at bringing lasting peace  and security to this important part of the world through tangible  engagement, including peacekeeping and humanitarian assistance.

In this context, we are deeply concerned by the reports of recent  escalation in the south of Lebanon, despite the ceasefire of November  2024. We call on all sides to exercise restraint and engage in  dialogue to address issues of concern through peaceful means.   Armenian peacekeepers in UNIFIL, alongside their international  partners, continue to fulfill their peacekeeping duties with  professionalism and dedication to maintain peace and security in the  region.

Mr. President,

We reiterate Armenia's position in support of achieving a peaceful,  just and comprehensive settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian  conflict, in line with the "two-state" solution.

Armenia emphasizes the necessity of protecting civilians, ensuring  safe and unhindered humanitarian access, and upholding international  humanitarian law as indispensable elements of any lasting peace.  Currently, the Government of Armenia is working with WHO to organize  the treatment of dozens of children from Gaza in the hospitals of  Armenia, in solidarity with those facing acute humanitarian crises.

We also stress the importance of consolidating the ceasefire and  preventing further regional escalation that could undermine fragile  stability across the Middle East.

In this vein, Armenia participated in the Middle East Peace Summit in  Sharm El-Sheikh.  We appreciate President Trump's personal  contribution and continued efforts aimed at establishing peace in  Gaza and addressing humanitarian issues. We also value the  contribution of the mediator states, in particular Qatar, Egypt,  Turkiye and others, to advancing dialogue and facilitating steps  towards a sustainable settlement.

Armenia welcomes the UN Security Council resolution 2803 on Gaza,  adopted on 17 November last year, and our Government stands ready to  contribute to the Board of Peace (BoP) and the International  Stabilization Force (ISF). In this regard, Armenia signed the Charter  of the Board of Peace as a founding member, reaffirming its  principled commitment to post-conflict stabilization, reconstruction,  and peace consolidation.  Armenia stands ready to actively engage  within the Board of Peace, in close coordination with international  partners, to contribute constructively to sustainable peace on the  ground.

Mr. President,

We reiterate Armenia's consistent support for the unity, sovereignty  and territorial integrity of friendly Syria. Syrian-led and  Syrian-owned post-conflict rehabilitation and peacebuilding process  is crucial to ensure durable peace in the country. Armenia stands  ready to contribute to post-conflict reconstruction and  rehabilitation efforts including through further provision of  humanitarian and medical assistance and the renewal of humanitarian  demining activities.

The Republic of Armenia looks forward to working with all  international partners genuinely interested in achieving a just and  lasting peace in the Middle East and in establishing prosperity for  all.

I thank you.