Yesterday, a conference on the future of Armenia took place at a Business School in Paris, addressing the escalating conflict between the country’s authorities and the Armenian Apostolic Church.
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has demanded the removal of the current Catholicos. Protests are ongoing across the country, and several prominent religious figures remain in detention. How can this conflict be resolved peacefully? What role can the EU play, given Armenia’s current European aspirations? The conference was organised at the invitation of Professor Frederic Encel, a world-renowned political scientist and television commentator. The discussion centered on a report by prominent international lawyer Robert Amsterdam, who personally attended the conference.
Amsterdam delivered a harsh critique of the Armenian authorities, positioning himself as a distinguished human rights defender. He has previously represented Russian opposition figure Mikhail Khodorkovsky and other dissidents in various countries. He not only sharply criticised Armenia’s authorities but also directly accused the European Union of supporting Prime Minister Pashinyan despite human rights violations in Armenia.
His statements provoked a strong response from European Parliament member Nathalie Loiseau of Emmanuel Macron’s party, who was participating in the conference. She rejected the criticism of the EU and called for resolving Armenia’s internal problems through peaceful and democratic means. The verbal exchange between Amsterdam and Loiseau became a catalyst for lively debate among participants.
Amsterdam’s position was supported by Murad Papazian, co-president of CCAF (Coordinating Council of Armenian Organisations of France), the main organisation representing Armenians in France. He shared his personal experience of being expelled from Armenia due to his disagreement with the current government’s policies. Ara Toranian, Vice President of CCAF, also expressed deep concern about the situation in Armenia and spoke about political prisoners there.
Renowned international lawyer Gérard Devedjian drew attention to how Armenia is struggling for its independence under difficult conditions following seventy years of communist rule. He expressed understanding of the Pashinyan government’s strategy, relying on geopolitical arguments.
Prominent Armenian activist based in the United States, Simone Rizkallah, addressed the tragic chapter in Armenian history—the 1915 genocide. She recalled the assistance provided to the Armenian people by people of good will. Her call for recognising the historical mission of Armenians and for reconciliation was warmly received in the hall.
Charles Consigny, a French lawyer known for his outspoken media appearances, has become involved in Armenian affairs by defending prominent figures and criticising the Armenian judicial system, notably in the case of Armenian-Russian businessman Samvel Karapetyan, whom he accused of political manipulation. A member of the Paris Bar, he has spoken publicly about the political situation in Armenia.
It can be said that all conference participants received with the deepest respect the words of former French Minister of Education Jean-Michel Blanquer. He reaffirmed the commitment of the people of France to Armenia, especially in light of the 1915 genocide, and called for the resolution of Armenia’s internal problems.
The Armenian people have existed for more than fifteen hundred years in inseparable connection with the Armenian Apostolic Church. The majority of conference participants defined in harsh terms Prime Minister Pashinyan’s current policy toward the church leadership of Armenia. Some noted the country’s complex geopolitical situation. And all wished peace for Armenia.
