Serzh Sargsyan: Our cause was just, and we were ready for confrontation

18:26 | In the world Several killed in clashes with Kabul cops over Koran burning

Up to five persons have been killed and dozens wounded by gunshots fired on anti-American demonstrations in Afghanistan.
Source: RT
17:14 | Armenia Serzh Sargsyan receives Euronest Parliamentary Assembly committee delegation

The delegation has arrived in Armenia to participate in the meeting of the Committee on Social Affairs, Education, Culture and Civil Society.
Source: President’s press office
17:13 | In the world Syrian National Council says military intervention may be only solution to conflict

The SNC proposes setting up corridors from Lebanon to the city of Homs, from Turkey to Idlib and from Jordan to Deraa.
Source: RT
16:19 | Armenia Flora Martirosyan continues ‘Never Again’ concert series

Aram Khachaturian Concert Hall will host next concerts from the series on Wednesday and Thursday.
Source: Panorama.am
14:54 | Armenia RPA comes first in election survey

The survey also shows the Armenian National Congress winning seats in parliament, according to the president of Armenian Sociological Association.
Source: Panorama.am
13:34 | In the world UEFA open proceedings against Porto

It responded to Manchester City's claims that two of their players were racially abused during the Europa League match at Porto.
Source: Mirror Football
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Source: Radio Liberty
13:25 | Armenia EURONEST Parliamentary Assembly meeting kicks off in Yerevan

Source: Parliament's information department
13:24 | Region ECHR rules Turkey violated journalist’s right to free speech

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Abkhaz security sources said that an investigation was underway.
Source: Gazeta.ru
13:20 | Armenia No precipitation expected in Yerevan

The air temperature will be -10-12 tonight, 0+2 in daytime and -2-4 in the evening.
Source: Meteo-TV
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Source: boxingscene.com
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Unfortunately, agreement was not reached on this document.
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Source: FARS
13:05 | Armenia Serzh Sargsyan receives European Parliament Foreign House delegation

Similar visits and communication, according to Serzh Sargsyan, are good opportunities to get acquainted with the situation and to form unbiased opinion.
Source: President's press office
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11:32 | Armenia Seyran Ohanyan receives Ambassador Andrey Sorokin

The sides discussed the prospects of expanding cooperation between the Armenian Defense Ministry and the OSCE Office in Yerevan.
Source: Defense Ministry
11:30 | Armenia Newly elected Mayor of Ijevan faces major obstacles

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10:16 | Armenia Vardanyan Junior not to run for parliament

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17:17 | Armenia Yerevan to host event to mark 24th anniversary of Armenian massacre in Sumgait

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The sides will discuss establishment of four bases for military equipment maintenance in Armenia.
Source: Panorama.am
15:46 | Armenia U.S. Embassy donates new equipment to Police Educational Complex

U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John Heffern visited and toured Armenia's Police Educational Complex.
Source: U.S. Embassy
14:47 | Armenia EU supports OSCE Minsk Group efforts

Foreign Minister hosted European Parliament Foreign House delegation.
Source: MFA information department
14:37 | In the world N. Bordyuzha: CSTO holds but monitoring of Karabakh conflict

CSTO Secretary General underlined that Armenia has the right to receive protection of its territorial integrity as a family member state.
Source: Panorama.am
14:35 | Armenia Edward Nalbandian receives delegation of Foreign Affairs Committee of European Parliament

The sides hailed EU decision to launch negotiations on a deep and comprehensive free trade area with Armenia.
Source: Foreign Ministry
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On February 18 Iranian mass media reported two Iranian journalists of FARS and Sahar were detained in Azerbaijan.
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13:59 | Armenia Armenia to have ambassador to Holy See

Armenian Ambassador to France Vigen Chitechyan was pluralistically appointed Ambassador to the Holy See.
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13:30 | Armenia Free Democrats Party to hold congress in early March

Source: Panorama.am
13:28 | Armenia Edward Nalbandian to visit Seoul, Hanoi, Singapore

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Source: Foreign Ministry
13:23 | Armenia Karen Saribekyan waits for RPA’s decision

“I will be guided by party’s decision when the party decides on elections,” said he.
Source: Panorama.am
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Trailers, semi-trailers, and buses with more than 30 seats are unable to move in Mleta-Gudauri and Kobi-Lars.
Source: Ministry of Transport and Communication
12:37 | Armenia More than 80 cars get stuck in traffic jam in Shirak

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Source: Ministry of Emergency Situations
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Lyudmila Sargsyan asked Prosecutor General to institute a criminal case on document forgery.
Source: Haykakan Zhamanak
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Source: FARS
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11:50 | Armenia Arsenyan vs Gevorgyans

Leader of the United Labor Party Gurgen Arsenyan will run for parliament in majority system at electoral district No.5.
Source: Hayatsk
11:33 | Armenia Air temperature to go down by 3-5 degrees

No precipitation expected in Yerevan.
Source: Meteo-tv
11:19 | Armenia Governor of Syunik sure to take office again

Source: Chorrord Inknishkhanutyun
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Former aide to ex-Speaker of Parliament Hovik Abrahamyan, Georgy Muradyan will head the newly opened Consulate of Armenia in Odessa.
Source: Zhoghovurd

10:45 28/01/2012 » Society

Congratulatory Address by President Serzh Sargsyan on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the creation of the Armed Forces of Armenia, President's press office reported.

Dear Compatriots,
Generals, officers, soldiers,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

I cordially congratulate you on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the creation of the Armed Forces of Armenia.

After losing independent statehood, the Armenian nation brought forth many warriors, but was not blessed with having its own army. The Armenian soldiers, officers and generals brought glory to different countries through their personal valor and dedication, but our nation’s sons were deprived of the opportunity to defend jointly interests of the Motherland and rights of the fellow citizens.

Twenty years ago, we turned the wheel of history. It that critical time, our nation reinstated its independent statehood and took total responsibility for the protection of its rights and national interests. At the moment of that historic rise, the creation of the Armenian army was one of the most momentous achievements.

There was an imperative to thwart the imminent danger of a genocide looming over the Armenian people and, particularly, over the Armenians of Artsakh. That vital episode of the army creation was necessitated by the time itself.

Our cause was just, and we were ready for confrontation. We knew that we alone could protect our right to live. However, we also fully realized that that right and justice were our strength and resolve.

Volunteers, who rose against intolerance, hostility and blind hatred, became the core of the Armenian regular army. At the moment of national awakening, many of those volunteers sacrificed their lives on the altar of the Motherland’s defense and security.

Eternal glory to them, reverence and admiration to their memory.

Generals, officers, soldiers,

Anniversary of our Army is your professional holiday. Choosing this profession, you have assumed responsibility towards your contemporaries and future generations. But at the same time, you have chosen Vardan Mamikonian’s and Hovhannes Baghramian’s path, which means that your accomplishments will be measured by the standards set by them. I have no doubt that every military serviceman in the Republic of Armenia, regardless of his or her duty station and position, realizes that historic responsibility.

Let’s recall that at the beginning we were counting arms and even bullets, while today we have an impressive level of weaponry. We have dug trenches meter by meter, hundreds of kilometers of military fortifications; we have constructed thousands of apartments for the servicemen and a respectable building for the Ministry of Defense. We have created a military-industrial complex and created a worthy image of the army. We have done all this together, the entire nation. And continue to do it through our work, through our trust in our army and exceptional warmth towards it.

It’s hard to tell in a couple of words everything that has been done in twenty years. The military parade dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the reinstated Armenian independence and the ceasefire, which is being preserved since 1994, are the most precise report and test held before the people of Armenia and the entire Armenian nation.

The Armed Forced of the Republic of Armenia are among the most important guarantees of the preservation of the balance, hence of the peace and security in our region. Today, our troops guard Armenia’s peace and tranquility; at the same time they are engaged in the international peace-keeping missions, where they have manifested their best qualities and multiplied their reputation of the disciplined and brave soldiers.

I once again congratulate us all on the occasion of this glorious holiday. I wish that peace always reign in our country and the region, and our people continue their creative work for the benefit of Armenia’s empowerment and advancement.

Glory to the Armed Forces of Armenia!
Long live the Republic of Armenia!

Source: Panorama.am