The ARF Western United States Central Committee marked the 135th anniversary of the founding of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) on January 25 under the theme “Homeland, Identity, Empowerment.”

The event reaffirmed the party’s century-long mission and dedication to the nation and the homeland, once again underscoring that the Armenia–Diaspora bond remains one of the unbreakable pillars of national life.

At the commemorative event dedicated to the ARF’s 135th anniversary, ARF Bureau member and National Assembly deputy Lilit Galstyan delivered the keynote address. In her remarks, she addressed the challenges facing Armenia and the Armenian people, including both internal and external crises. Her central message was clear: “Not to adapt, but to fight.”

Galstyan spoke about the trajectory of widespread failures left behind by Armenia’s current ruling regime, emphasizing that today’s primary political objective is to prevent the reproduction of this regime. She further noted that the current stage of the emerging new world order requires a reassessment of strategies and tactics.

For this reason, she stressed, “the adoption of pan-Armenian ideological and programmatic agendas, along with the mobilization of resources for their implementation, is a vital necessity.”

“The struggle for national interests has become a pan-Armenian responsibility,” she added. “The more fateful the moment, the more central our mission is—to prevent the collapse of Armenian statehood.”

Galstyan characterized the campaign launched by Armenia’s current authorities against the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church as a hostile, anti-national, and anti-state assault, calling it a deliberate effort “aimed at dismantling the most authoritative pan-Armenian national institution and weakening our unity.”

She also addressed the external front, pointing to the recently signed TRIPP declaration and the Meghri corridor, through which Armenia risks losing control over the southern gates of Syunik and, more broadly, rendering its sovereignty vulnerable.

According to her assessment, “the greatest political beneficiary of this deal is the Turkish world. Armenia has become small change in geopolitical bargaining; the country’s internal and external agendas are dictated in Baku and Ankara, while the ruling regime is ready to make any concession to preserve its own power.”
She emphasized: “This is not peace—it is creeping capitulation.”

In her address, Galstyan outlined the ARF’s vision and priorities on key agenda issues, including security, development, and dignified living, stressing that “a pan-Armenian ideological agenda and program must be formed around these priorities—pan-Armenian, because the challenges we face are no longer merely internal to Armenia, but pan-Armenian in nature.”

A Secure and Peaceful Armenia

A secure Armenia means long-term peace, built upon:

• Balanced foreign relations

• Mutually beneficial cooperation with regional and international actors

• Restoration of Armenia’s sovereignty

• Sustainable and effective doctrines of army-building and defense industry development

This peace must not deny the right of return of the Armenians of Artsakh, must resolve the issue of all prisoners of war, include security guarantees, exclude vital concessions by the Armenian side, and prevent Turkish and Azerbaijani interference in Armenia’s internal affairs.

The alternative to war is not capitulation.

A United Armenia

We reject internal divisions, because only through national unity, Armenia–Diaspora solidarity, and maximum mobilization of national potential can a turning point be achieved in the country’s life.

A Just Armenia

A just Armenia is a people-centered state where poverty is overcome and social justice and equal opportunity are guaranteed for all segments of society.

A Law-Governed Armenia

A law-governed Armenia is one where constitutional order is restored, human rights are protected, and governance is based not on individual or political interests, but on the rule of law, justice, equality, and stability.

A Developing Armenia

A developing Armenia is a competitive and modern state, whose economy serves the well-being of the Armenian people and society, and which is a source of pride for Armenians living anywhere in the world.

The Diaspora is a vital space of Armenia’s renewal. Re-evaluating Armenia–Diaspora relations requires an entirely new concept—one that restores the broken connection and revitalizes the Diaspora as a political and civilizational force.

Without a Spiritual Armenia, there can be no secure Armenia, and no Armenian identity. The prerequisite for building a secure, united, and developing country is new leadership grounded in moral integrity, professional excellence, and national-state thinking.

“Our opponents understand our strength—they imprison, intimidate, resort to violence and falsifications, and attempt to divide us by separating internal and external Dashnaktsutyun members,” Galstyan stated.

“They are doomed to fail, because they do not understand that the ARF is a value system and an ideology—Dashnaktsutyun is a phenomenon that cannot be confined to the framework of an ordinary party.”

Concluding her remarks, Lilit Galstyan emphasized the importance of rejecting despair:
“Because despair is equivalent to total political collapse and the abandonment of our sacred aspirations. That is the enemy’s agenda. We can and must shake off despair and the mentality of defeat.”