Category: 2017

The President of the Republic, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Serzh Sargsyan, participated in the graduation ceremony of the graduates of the 2016-2017 academic year of military educational institutions at the Sardarapat Memorial Complex with the top leadership of the country.

As reported by the RA President’s Amul Service, the President welcomed the participants of the ceremony, congratulated the 2017 graduates of military educational institutions. to the graduates on the occasion of the graduation ceremony and wish them good service and great success.

By order of the RA Ministry of Defense, 279 graduates were awarded the rank of first officer “Lieutenant”. Within the framework of the event, graduates of military educational institutions received their graduation documents and daggers, which were handed over to them by the President of the Republic and members of the National Security Council. The President of the Republic delivered a speech on the occasion of the ceremony.

The event ended with a farewell ceremony of the graduates to the battle flags and a solemn march.

At the event, Serzh Sargsyan made a speech, in which it is said in particular:

“I heartily congratulate you on concluding this important phase of your life. You have successfully completed your studies and from here you will leave for service in order to fulfill your sacred mission.

You will be on the front line, in military units, in headquarters, in the rear. Wherever you are, you will be commanders whose word our brave soldiers will follow.

I have no doubt that you will be strict with yourself first and foremost. And precisely because of this, you will reserve the right to be demanding towards your subordinates as well.

You will lead them by your example, by your moral character. You will become a family, an older brother, a counselor for them.

I am sure that you will find such senior brothers and experienced advisors among your superiors. They have already walked that same path. They should help you to avoid the mistakes they made, they should rely on and support you.

The Armenian Army is just such a big family. Our whole country is just such a big family. Patriarch Movses Khorenatsi used to say “we are a small family”. Yes, we are a small family, although few, but strong with the unity that is characteristic of a strong nation, a strong family.

We must remember that the primary meaning of the word “nation” in Armenian is family and greatness. The purpose of your service is to ensure the safety and peace of your family, your clan, your nation.

Dear soldiers,

The motto “One for all and all for one” was put at the foundation of our army. And that army became a people’s army, which united the builder and the writer, the driver and the programmer, the jeweler and the musician. It was this popular effort that protected the Artsakh world and continues to guarantee its security today.

Military service hardens a new type of citizen of Armenia. it is the type that stands firmly on its ground, confident in its own strength, supporting its comrades in arms, not doubting the strength of its rear. That type is brought up by your parents in the family, and you will give that same upbringing to your children. That type is educated in our schools, learning from teachers to distinguish good from bad, good from evil, fair from unfair.

We build our country on those positive values ​​and freedom, defend our law and our land. It is thanks to this that we have won on the battlefield and are firm in our positions. You, dear soldiers, are the pioneers of those positions, you are the border guards and position defenders.

The officers of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia are a new type of the cream of the Armenian intelligentsia, our people. The emergence of that type was possible thanks to the independent state of Armenia. And our state will do everything to solve the problems of its glorious military children.

Here, where the spirit of the heroes of Sardarapat lives, we all must realize the burden of historical responsibility that we assume on our shoulders. It is not only the security of today’s Armenia, but also the responsibility to ensure the permanence of our statehood.

Dear graduates,

Dear soldiers,

Congratulations again! I wish you all good service and great success. They will undoubtedly be the successes of our entire people.”

The government has adopted a decision on creating a fund “Support center for the integration of scientific programs” and approving the charter of the fund.

The aim of the center’s activity will be to contribute to the integration of scientific groups operating in the scientific organizations and universities of the Republic into the European area of ​​research, to become a direct participant in world-class scientific research, as well as to play an active role in research and development aimed at solving modern social challenges.

As a result, it is expected to increase the volume of participation of scientific organizations and individual scientists in the programs financed by the European Commission, to develop cooperation within the framework of the agreement on participation in the “Horizon 2020” program.

Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan today received the Ambassador of the United States of America to the Republic of Armenia Richard Mills. The head of the government highlighted the regular meetings that have become traditional, which are a good opportunity to exchange ideas on the progress and development prospects of Armenian-American cooperation. 

First of all, Ambassador Mills expressed his regret regarding the big fire that broke out in the “Khosrov Forest” state reserve, noting that they don’t hear about the difficulties in fighting such disasters in the United States. He noted that the Embassy is in contact with the RA Ministries of Emergency Situations and the RA Ministries of Nature Protection in order to clarify the directions of technical and expert assistance to the departments in eliminating the consequences of the fire.

Referring to the improvement of the business environment and the fight against corruption, Ambassador Mills said:

“I warmly welcome your efforts aimed at fighting corruption and improving the business environment, which have led to an increase in the interest of American companies and investors in Armenia. We continue to consider ways in which we can support your efforts and deepen bilateral trade and investment. we are trying to find the best ways to do this, including the most effective way to support the Anti-Corruption Council.”

Richard Mills emphasized that he has recently received very positive signals from American companies operating in Armenia regarding the activities of the State Revenue Committee and added that the United States is ready to continue its support to the government’s initiatives to further improve the business environment.

In turn, Karen Karapetyan noted that in the near future, analyzes will be made regarding what happened in the “Khosrov Forest” state reserve, after which the interaction with the American side will be more specific. 

Referring to the fight against corruption, as well as the activities of the SRC, Karen Karapetyan noted that it is nice to hear such an opinion about the steps taken by the government in these areas. 

“However, we still have a lot to do in these directions and the reforms will be continuous. We are determined to improve the business environment, to fight against corruption, because all that is just a necessity for the development of the economy,” the Prime Minister emphasized. 

Karen Karapetyan and Richard Mills also discussed the reforms implemented in the justice sector. The head of the executive noted that the road map for the reform of the judicial sphere is being developed, taking into account the existing problems and gaps, and in this direction the Armenian side also expects the support of American partners and specialists. The Prime Minister also emphasized the active participation of the US Embassy in the upcoming meeting of donor organizations in the field of justice, during which the main directions and priorities of further reforms in this field will be presented.

The interlocutors also discussed a number of other issues related to Armenian-American relations.

Armenia does a good job of balancing relations with all of its neighbors, including Russia, Iran, the United States, and the European Union. This was stated by the Ambassador of the United States to Armenia, Richard Mills, answering the question of “Azatutyun” radio station about the impact of the tension in the Russian-American relations on the relations of the United States with Armenia.

“Armenia is doing a good job balancing relations with all its neighbors, including Russia, Iran, the United States and the European Union. As soon as I came to Armenia, my position was clear: the USA never considered its relations with Armenia as a game with a “zero” result, that is, our relations should be stronger and deeper, but Armenia’s relations with other countries should deteriorate. That was never the goal of the US government, and I don’t think it is the goal of the Armenian government,” he said, adding that the US wants to make sure that Armenia can make its own sovereign decisions about which chooses the path, chooses the economic and political model.

“We want to give Armenia the tools to continue to make sovereign decisions and be sure that Armenia will not be pressured by others to follow a path that Armenia does not want to go down. I think we have a good example in terms of Armenia’s ability to balance its interests and work with the United States. It was Armenia’s participation in NATO’s “Honest Partner” exercises held in Georgia, which took place at the beginning of this August. Armenia should be proud that CSTO was the only member to participate in these exercises and made a very important contribution by providing the medical service that served the participants. to all countries. It helped the armed forces of Armenia, those military exercises and ensuring security in Europe,” Depan said.

According to him, there is extensive cooperation between Armenia and the USA in the military field as well. This March, with the support of the American side, renovation works began at the “Zar” training center of the Ministry of Defense of Armenia.

“With our help, it is being repaired and where the peacekeeping brigade of Armenia will hold its exercises. The Armenian Peacekeeping Brigade and its involvement in Afghanistan, Kosovo, Lebanon, is a true measure of Armenia’s growing importance in international diplomacy and Armenia’s contribution to international security. Our military cooperation is broader than the work around that training center or our work with the Armenian peacekeeping brigade. We are focused on a broad range of cooperation with the Armed Forces of Armenia,” adding that they cover three areas.

“The first is our funding program in the military twist. Since 2002, when our military cooperation really deepened, we have allocated $49 million to purchase equipment for the Armenian armed forces, from personal protective equipment to radio communication equipment and medical equipment. We have an international military education program, and since 2002 we have allocated $7.5 million to provide training for 200 Armenian officers, non-commissioned officers and civilian employees of the Department of Defense at US military institutes, academies, from the National War College to the General Staff College. And finally, the third component of cooperation is the humanitarian assistance program. Especially through the Kansas National Guard, our humanitarian aid military units come to Armenia and work to repair orphanages, schools, and improve the water supply of settlements. Since 2002, we have allocated 5 million dollars to these programs,” he concluded.

On August 27, around 02:30, in the central military hospital of Stepanakert, a contract serviceman of the Armed Forces, who was seriously injured by the enemy, died in 1991. born Artak Aghasu Bisharyan.

An investigation is underway to find out the details of the incident.

The Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Artsakh shares the heavy grief of the loss and expresses its support to the family members, relatives and fellow soldiers of the deceased serviceman.