Narek Karapetyan, a senior member of the Strong Armenia party and nephew of businessman and philanthropist Samvel Karapetyan, told supporters in Goris that Armenia must pursue “strong peace” based on equality with its neighbors rather than concessions.  

Karapetyan said his uncle, who is under house arrest and has declared his candidacy for prime minister, entered politics after decades of philanthropy failed to bring systemic change. “Samvel Karapetyan has invested hundreds of millions in Armenia and tens of millions in Artsakh, but poverty persists and one signature erased what existed in Artsakh,” he said.  

He accused the current leadership of weakening Armenia by abandoning genocide recognition, targeting the Armenian Apostolic Church and following a path of submission. “Weak peace is opening our doors to adversaries without conditions. Strong peace means closed doors but equal relations with neighbors,” Karapetyan said.  

Arguing that only a leader with international connections could secure such peace, he added: “Outside Armenia, the prime minister is faceless, powerless. He cannot provide strong peace.”  

The Strong Armenia delegation, led by Karapetyan, visited Sisian and Goris on March 26-27 to present the party’s vision under Samvel Karapetyan’s leadership and answer questions from supporters.