Congratulatory Remarks by President Serzh Sargsyan at the Award Ceremony held on the occasion of the 21st anniversary of Armenia’s Independence

Ladies and Gentlemen,
Generals and Officers,

I cordially congratulate you on the occasion of the 21st anniversary of independence of the Republic of Armenia and on receiving high awards and titles of our Motherland.

These awards are reflections of your honest work and dedicated service as well as a token of appreciation of our people.

We strive for every one in Armenia to do their job as you do yours. Can you imagine what would be the pace of our country’s development then? I see the meaning of the high state awards and titles in the following: to present to our society those individuals who through their work and personality every day prove very important truth to themselves, to the people around them and to our entire society.

And we have a lot to prove: we have to prove that we are able not only to protect ourselves from the foreign foes but also to efficiently organize our state and social life – from public services to economy, from justice to education and health care.

We have to prove a lot to us, as well as to the world. Some may think that it’s a very ambitious statement, but we shouldn’t forget that our being strong or weak defines not only our every day life but also regional stability and security. Many things which stem from that pivotal word – peace - depend on it.

Dear Awardees,

You are the very people who make our nation and our state more mature, more developed, eventually – stronger and invincible, and Motherland thanks you for that.

I congratulate you once again on the occasion of our great holiday and on your awards. Thank you for your honest work and great success in your future endeavors.