FORMATION OF A MORE FAVORABLE EXTERNAL ENVIRONMENT 4.1 Armenia’s foreign policy objectives are to ensure the sovereignty, security, and development of the state, as well as the formation of a more favorable external environment for the security and well-being of its citizens. In its foreign relations, Armenia draws on civilizational and democratic value systems, as well as the continual development of mutually beneficial and equal relations with all states. 4.2 The Republic of Armenia implements its foreign policy priorities on the basis of three fundamental, comprehensive, and interrelated principles: sovereignty, as the fundamental basis for carrying out foreign policy; a Pan-Armenian outlook, the idea of understanding and realizing collective Armenian interests; cooperation, as a means of establishing mutually beneficial and equal relations with states. 4.3 The Republic of Armenia is the guarantor of the security of Artsakh. This role is conditioned by Azerbaijan’s policy of resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict through military means, posing an existential threat to the population of Artsakh. 4.4 If Turkey were to cease its unneighborly policy toward Armenia and the Armenian people, it would cease to be a security threat for us. 4.5 Armenia views democracy and the protection of fundamental human rights and freedoms as vital components of peace and stability in the region. It will continue to support the entrenchment of these principles. 4.6 Given the increasing tensions between international and regional power centers and institutions, Armenia ascribes importance to the role of multilateral international platforms, including international security organizations, as well as the maintenance and strengthening of cooperation within them, respect for each other’s interests, and the principles of mutual assistance among allies. At the same time, Armenia shall continue its close cooperation with those global power centers and regional actors that pursue a policy of preserving peace and stability and are willing to cooperate in containing threats to peace. 4.7 Armenia’s foreign policy priorities include deepening and expanding its strategic alliance with the Russian Federation in the spheres of politics, trade and economy, defense, security, culture, and humanitarian assistance based on the historical friendship between the two nations. Guided by the principles of equality and the thorough consideration of each other’s interests, efforts shall be made to advance cooperation in both a bilateral format and within the framework of multilateral and integration associations, towards strengthening regional stability and security. NATIONAL SECURITY STRATEGY OF RA | 11