British ambassador: Armenia in rapidly developing security environment

Armenia is in a rapidly developing political and security environment, which presents both opportunities and risks for the country, British Ambassador to Armenia Alexandra Cole has said.

“Security is always a relevant issue,” Ambassador Cole said at the Comprehensive Security & Resilience 2026 international conference, organized by Yerevan-based think tank Women and Global Security Architecture (WGSA).

“In our current security environment, threats concern all areas of the state and society. Traditional military threats remain a reality, but states and their citizens are now also forced to confront cyberattacks, disinformation campaigns, economic coercion, attacks on critical infrastructure and supply chain disruptions,” the ambassador said.

In this context, according to the ambassador, national security can no longer be viewed exclusively as the responsibility of defense structures, intelligence services and law enforcement agencies, nor is it any longer exclusively an area of state responsibility. These challenges, she said, require national awareness and a national approach focused on security, defense and resilience. In the ambassador’s view, amid the existing security threats, citizens and institutions should not be regarded as passive actors or simply as victims.

“Effectively utilizing the potential of Armenian society and institutions will be crucial in implementing a comprehensive approach to ensuring security and resilience. This conference is a vivid example of this: it brings together experts from various ministries, civil society and the private sector, as well as international partners. We will discuss the challenges and opportunities. Security and democratic values mutually reinforce each other. Armenia remains in a positive but unstable position, making progress toward lasting peace while simultaneously facing external pressure. In this context, ensuring accountability, public trust and institutional quality is becoming a national security priority,” Cole said.

She added that within the framework of the relatively recently established strategic partnership between the United Kingdom and Armenia, the British side is working to support both democratic and institutional stability and reforms in the defense and security sectors, encompassing the government system as a whole.

“The United Kingdom, in cooperation with international partners, continues to support Armenia so that it can take advantage of the opportunities offered by peace and strengthen its national resilience amid growing uncertainties in the world. The UK is also developing its own approach based on broad societal involvement in defense: for us, this is still a relatively new strategy. I think it can confidently be said that we have extensive experience in this area, in terms of deterring numerous threats and ensuring resilience. That is precisely why the focus of our meeting today is the exchange of experience. I think we can learn from each other,” the diplomat noted.

According to her, the British side’s approach is based on higher defense spending, a new defense industry strategy, the development of new concepts for ensuring resilience, and the implementation of the United Kingdom’s domestic defense program.

“We must realize that a great deal of work will be required to turn all our proposals for a comprehensive security and resilience system into a practical project, which will be possible through a shared vision, broad public support, clear responsibilities and effective governance,” concluded the UK Ambassador.