1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 The main goal of the National Security Strategy of the Republic of Armenia is to establish guidelines for ensuring the secure and forward-looking development and well-being of Armenia and the citizens of the Republic of Armenia. An independent, sovereign, and powerful Republic of Armenia is the guarantor of this goal and the homeland of Armenians dispersed throughout the world. The Strategy specifies the national interests of Armenia and the strategic means of their effective protection. 1.2 The international and regional security environment has undergone significant changes since the first National Security Strategy of the Republic of Armenia was adopted in 2007. These changes have created more sophisticated and multi-layered challenges for Armenia. Armenia itself has also changed. The non-violent Velvet Revolution of 2018 set a high standard for ensuring state security, development, and prosperity. In this new context, Armenia’s security policy hinges upon the democratic system of governance laying sound foundations for the strengthening of the country’s economic, political, intellectual, and consequently, military potential. These realities require a new and more ambitious National Security Strategy. 1.3 The Strategy is based on three fundamental principles. First, a strong and prosperous Armenia is the guarantor of its own security. There is no alternative to a strong and prosperous Armenian state for ensuring Armenia’s security. As a state interested in maintaining peace and stability, Armenia shall continually develop capacity along these dimensions and make continuous efforts towards enhancing its role in providing peace, security, and stability in the region. Armenia shall continue to invest in international security through the involvement of Armenian peacekeepers in international peace support missions, not only as a consumer, but also a provider of international security. 1.4 Second, this Strategy aims to contribute to a far-reaching goal: ensuring the perpetuity of Armenian statehood, preparing us to withstand whatever threat that may emerge to jeopardize it. The Armenian nation shall, once and for all, override the previous vicious cycle of acquiring and losing statehood, often caused by geopolitical factors beyond our control. The citizens 2 | NATIONAL SECURITY STRATEGY OF RA