Serzh Sargsyan visits Armenia’s border military unit on December 31

January 2, 2018 By administrator

Armenian President, Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Serzh Sargsyan and Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II visited on December 31 a military unit stationed on the state border, presidential press service reported.

The president met with soldiers and commanders serving in Armenia’s Tavush region, got acquainted with the course of service, and the conditions of the soldiers.

The President congratulated all servicemen of the Armenian army on the upcoming New Year and Christmas holidays, expressed good wishes and thanked them for their self-sacrificing service.

President Serzh Sargsyan greeted by top EU leadership at the welcoming ceremony of the EaP Summit

November 24, 2017 By administrator

The welcoming ceremony of the EU Eastern Partnership (EaP) Summit took place in Brussels. The heads of states and governments of the six Eastern partner countries were welcomed by European Council President Donald Tusk, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and Prime Minister Yuri Ratas of Estonia, which holds the chairmanship of the Council of Europe.

The ceremony of greeting the President of Armenia can be seen from 1:00 minute in the video below.

To note, the 5th Eastern Partnership (EaP) summit will discuss the ways to further strengthen cooperation in the four priority areas agreed in the last summit in Riga in 2015, focusing on the tangible benefits delivered to the citizens of the six Eastern Partnership countries.

The signing of the new EU-Armenia Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement is expected to take place in the frames of the ongoing Summit.

Armenia, Iran presidents meet in Tehran

August 6, 2017 By administrator

President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan, who is in Tehran on a working visit to attend Saturday’s swearing-in ceremony of reelected President Hassan Rouhani of Iran, on Sunday met with him.

At the beginning of the talk, the Iranian president expressed the hope that his Armenian colleague’s current visit to Iran will give new impetus to the expansion and development of bilateral relations.

Noting that the current year marks the 25th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Armenia and Iran, President Sargsyan, for his part, recorded that during this time cooperation amongst them was developed and strengthened.

Subsequently, the two presidents discussed collaboration, and underscored the major projects being implemented in several domains and the carrying out of new and promising projects between the two countries.

“Serzh Sargsyan appoints Karen Karapetyan to “stand in for him” until 2018”. Styopa Safaryan

November 28, 2016 By administrator

Styopa Safaryan
Founder & head of research programmes of the Armenian Institute of International and Security Affairs

By Luiza SUKIASYAN

“Since Serzh Sargsyan has not ruled out his perspective of becoming a Prime Minister after 2018, an important question arises whether he will see Karen Karapetyan off after the parliamentary elections and later. The RPA Congress answered this question: until the end of the term of Serzh Sargsyan’s power in 2018, Serzh Sargsyan appoints Karen Karapetyan a stand in for him and as to what he will do after the end of his term in office, the question remains open,” said political scientist Styopa Safaryan to Aravot.am, referring to statements voiced in the RPA Congress that in the case of obtaining a vote of confidence in the nearest parliamentary elections, Karen Karapetyan will be nominated as a candidate for the RPA prime minister. In his description, Serzh Sargsyan has made an important move for him, “He has reduced the risks associated with the acute struggle for being a prime minister inside the team. Serzh Sargsyan has once seen it in the face of Hovik Abrahamyan’s and Tigran Sargsyan’s struggle. In addition, Serzh Sargsyan eased the Russian threats for him. In the past, in the form of Armenian players and directly especially in 2013-2014, it was shown that Tigran Sargsyan is an unwanted Prime Minister and Serzh Sargsyan keeps him literally. Now, it seems that Serzh Sargsyan should not have fears of the political forces with Russian orientation because if they try to come out against the government, it would turn out that they want to come out against Tigran Karapetyan, a “man of Moscow”.”

Styopa Safaryan does not rule out that in the context of all this, Russia after the events in April pursuing the goal to regain the trust will apply to cajoling actions in the military-political field, “Maybe they will become more tactful. Recently, it has become obvious that the Russians have become cool and are a little afraid to advance their plan on Karabakh which they were formerly doing it in rather a brazen way,” noted the political scientist.

Armenia “has not wish to seize Baku, but can cause irreparable losses”

November 26, 2016 By administrator

Serzh Sargsyan re-elected Republican Party’s leader

Armenia has no intention to occupy Baku, but can cause irreversible losses,President Serzh Sargsyan said Saturday, November 26 during the ruling Republican Party’s convention in Yerevan.

“Azerbaijan keeps bragging about imposing its will through the use of force and violence,”Sargsyan said commenting on Baku’s offensive unleashed against Nagorno Karabakh.

Azerbaijan on April 2 attacked Karabakh positions and settlements, as a result of which hundreds were killed on both sides. The parties reached an agreement on the cessation of hostilities on April 5.

“Azerbaijan’s aggression was a serious blow to the negotiation process,” Sargsyan said.

“Just like before the events in April, our stance remains unchanged, Armenia and Karabakh have no reason to go to war. And this is the most essential difference with Azerbaijan’s approach.”

Sargsyan said he is deeply convinced that the conflict can be solved only through peaceful talks, adding that the sides should give a clear and realistic assessment of the existing balance of forces.

“We don’t pursue the task of capturing Baku and calling capitulation, but we do understand the scale of irreparable loss we can cause our rivals,” the President said.

“I don’t think I need to go into more details.”

“I see no sense in engaging in arms race, as no weapons and armor can solve the outcome of a military action,” he added.

“Our efforts should be aimed at enhancing the morale, professional skills and tactical capabilities of our armed forces.”

Strength is in Armenians’ faith and readiness to defend their homeland at any cost – Serzh Sargsyan

April 6, 2016 By administrator

The strength is not up-to-date weapons, or rather, it is not entirely weapons, the number of tanks.

The strength is the faith of the Nagorno-Karabakh people, of the Armenians that are ready to defend their homeland at any cost, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan stated at a press conference held jointed with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

“Russia is indeed our strategic ally and we are members of one and the same security system. And we naturally regret that Russia – and not only Russia, but also other members of this structure – sells weapons to Azerbaijan. But we are well aware that we have limited influence on this process. I can say only one thing: yes, Azerbaijan may have more up-to-date weapons now, and the three-day hostilities have shown the weapons are working. But the strength is not up-to-date weapons, or rather, it is not entirely weapons, the number of tanks. The strength is the faith of the Nagorno-Karabakh people, of the Armenians that are ready to defend their homeland at any cost. Yes, we are chiefly fighting using weapons produced in the 1980s, but the three-day conflict has shown that who fights and how the fight, Azerbaijan’s losses and our losses. We have shown our attitude to our losses by informing our public of our losses every moment – how many people have been killed and wounded, how many vehicles we have lost. But try to get similar information in Azerbaijan – you will never get it.

“War is a very bad thing. I am not saying anything new. On the other hand, this three-day war has shown that fighting is much easier for a free society because the people’s support is the most important thing,” Mr Sargsyan said.

President Serzh Sargsyan visited the soldiers at the front northeast of Armenia

January 1, 2016 By administrator

arton120500-480x320 Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan, chief of the general staff of the armed forces Ohanian accompanied by the Minister of Defence, visited the front on a defensive position to the northeast of the border with Armenia occasion of New Year and Christmas. The Armenian president has met with the soldiers and officers of the military command to take stock of the conditions of life and defense of these soldiers. He offered gifts to some soldiers who were distinguished for their acts during their service. Around a table Armenian President then shared a meal while talking with the soldiers. He thanked the soldiers for the defense of the borders of Armenia and the Armenian people said that was proud of his soldiers who are a credit to their country by their courage and their effectiveness against the enemy. Sarkisian then visited the border village of Bardavan and met the people in this town that have expressed many applications for safety and economy.

Krikor Amirzayan

2015 was full of events and impressions – Serzh Sargsyan’s New Year address to Armenians

December 31, 2015 By administrator

President Serzh Sargsyan has issued an address to congratulate the Armenians on the New Year and Christmas holidays.

Dear Compatriots,
In a few moments, we will bid farewell to year 2015. The passing year has been in fact full of evens and impressions. We commemorated the memory of the victims of the Great Eghern. Events dedicated to the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide had pan-Armenian and world-wide coverage. I believe that year 2015 will remain in the Armenian history first of all as the year of beatification of our innocent victims.

This year we all witnessed manifestations of the exceptional unity of the entire Armenian nation. Through our joint efforts and dignified stance, we have conveyed our message to the world. I am confident that next year too, all Armenian structures, individuals and entire Spyurk will continue to work side by side for the benefit of Armenia, for the benefit of Artsakh, for the benefit of all parts of the Armenian nation.

Today, the entire world is going through a difficult and intense period. Regrettably, year 2015 not only failed to decrease tension and freeze the existing wars, but in some cases intensified the existing tensions and flared up hotbeds of aggression. Inhumane acts of terror, which claimed lives of innocent people in different parts of the world, did not decrease in number. Against this backdrop and in this context, Armenia has lived another peaceful and stable year. We have preserved our rating as one of the safest countries in the world. We have carried on with the advancement of our country; we have built roads, housing, schools, and hospitals – always dreaming of doing more.

The passing year has been significant with yet another important state and political event. We have introduced changes to the Main Law of the land – Constitution. I have no doubt that together we have opened a door for the new opportunities for our political and economic development. We have opened a door towards becoming a more secure, more liberal, and more harmonious country.

On this festive night, we traditionally raise our glasses for our military. We live behind their infallible shield. We entrusted them things that are most precious to us all; and they are the most precious thing to us. The enemy is perfidious, nothing new here. But the Armed Forces of Armenia are strong – always. Today, the combat readiness and technical capabilities of the Armenian Army are exceptionally high, as never before. Let us wish our servicemen a safe term of duty. Let us wish peace to our country and the entire world.

Very soon, we will step into year 2016. In 2016, we will celebrate the 25th anniversary of Independence of the Republic of Armenia. It’s been a quarter of a century that we live as a free and independent country. It’s hard to recall when our country had a period of twenty-five years of independence. It means that we have a new and bright generation of those who are twenty or twenty-five years old, who have no idea what it means not to have an independent state, who are free and uninhibited both psychologically and politically.

This is a new and young Armenia, which is open to the world, which is ready to accept new ideas, to accept a new culture of work and lifestyle, which will live and advance in step with the contemporary world. We are entering the New Year with a new political structure, with new vigor and new dreams, convinced that we are building our own home and we build it on a right foundation. Armenia, which is 25 years old, is not yet the Armenia of our dreams, but it is an essential and forceful milestone on that road.
Dear Compatriots,
I wish you happiness and all the best in year 2016!

Happy New Year and Holly Christmas!

Armenia president meets with opposition leader

February 17, 2015 By administrator

Serzh Sargsyan and Gagik Tsarukyan

YEREVAN. – A meeting between President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan and Prosperous Armenia leader Gagik Tsarukyan took place on Tuesday.

Secretary of ARF Dashnaktsutyun faction Aghvan Vardanyan told Armenian News-NEWS.am that the meeting was held on the initiative of ARF.

Vardanyan added that within last days the party did everything it could so that the country could avoid clashes and shocks.

“We have done everything that was needed. Businessman Samvel Karapetyan, who made every effort to settle the situation, came to Armenia at our request,” he added.

Vardanyan also noted that the outcome of the meeting would become clear in the near future.

What are Wisconsin corrections officials doing in Armenia? /

December 2, 2014 By administrator

By Steven Elbow | The Capital Times

State Department of Corrections Secretary Ed Wall spent his holiday weekend in Armavir, Armenia, along with several other corrections officials.

So why did Wall and his entourage take time away from their families to travel to an impoverished, wind-swept land?

To join Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan Saturday in dedicating a new prison — a prison that Wisconsin officials had a hand in developing.

Don Stolworthy, corrections team leader at the U.S. State Department, said the matchup between Wisconsin and Armenian corrections officials was a natural fit, since the Armenians were interested in electronic monitoring and probation, two facets that Armenia lacked, but at which Wisconsin excels.

“Since then the relationship has grown, and now it’s expanded into classification, activation, security operations and all facets of corrections,” Stolworthy said.

The Wisconsin officials have been working with Armenia to modernize its prison system since April 2012. In May 2013, 14 Armenian officials visited Wisconsin to attend training workshops and visit prisons. In September 2013, five Wisconsin corrections officials traveled to the mountainous country of 3 million to advise them on the development of evidence-based multi-disciplinary management techniques, involving social workers, security staff and medical personnel.

The partnership has included numerous Wisconsin staff, and about a dozen staffers and officials who are “regularly engaged” in the project, including wardens, the state’s training and probation directors and Deputy Secretary Deirdre Morgan.

Stolworthy said the new prison, which will house between 1,200 and 1,400 inmates — about a quarter of the country’s incarcerated population — is “the prototype by which they will propagate change throughout the system.”

And Wisconsin officials will remain engaged in Armenia, but not necessarily to the extent they have been for the last two years.

“We have to live within our resources,” Stolworthy said, “because we reimburse Wisconsin for its costs, so there’s no cost to Wisconsin taxpayers.”