Working visit of President Serzh Sargsyan to the Nagorno Karabakh Republic

Today, President Serzh Sargsyan visited one of the military units deployed at the eastern border of the Republic and participated at the official ceremony of handing-over of the apartments built for the officer personnel.

Afterwards, the President of Armenia left on a working visit to the Nagorno Karabakh Republic.

Serzh Sargsyan and President of the NKR Bako Sahakian, RA Minister of Defense Seiran Ohanian, accompanied by the representatives of the high command visited the defense positions, familiarized first hand with the combat readiness of the troops and ongoing army building works.

The Presidents of Armenia and Artsakh were present at the military exercises carried out by the NKR Defense Army and conducted monitoring of the defense area. In one of the military units, Presidents Serzh Sargsyan and Bako Sahakian participated also at the inauguration of Saint Gevorg church. Later, they conducted a meeting with the participation of the high military command.

The Presidents of Armenia and Karabakh visited also the Maghavuz coal mine in Martakert region which has already started to deliver black coal to the Republic of Armenia for the Yerevan Hydro-Power Station, Ltd., which produces electricity in the mixed water-coal regime (through the refurbishment and commissioning of the old power generating units). This investment project, which is important for the energy and mining areas, along with fostering economy will also considerably enhance Armenia’s energy security. The Presidents of Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh were informed that a coal-preparation plant will be constructed on the territory of the Maghavuz mine.

After familiarizing with the ongoing works and prospective programs of the mine developing company, Presidents Sargsyan and Sahakian wished the company all the best in its future activities.

President Serzh Sargsyan, who is in the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh on a working visit, together with the President of the NKR Bako Sahakian, Ministers of Defense of two Armenian states and high-ranking military staff on 23 October at the Tigranakert training ground observed the main, combat crossfire phase of the military exercises. After the conclusion of the exercises, the Presidents handed awards to the servicemen who brought active participation to the exercises. The President of Armenia, Commander-in-Chief Serzh Sargsyan addressed the servicemen. The President congratulated them on the successful completion of the exercises and underscored with satisfaction that what the Armenian troops demonstrated today fills his heart and soul with pride and delight and said that it deserves appreciation and gratitude. “I can imagine pride of your parents, your brothers and sisters, your wives and girls who are waiting for you. You are the people who hold our Motherland’s honor high, your teachers’, and probably first of all your parents’ honor,” President Serzh Sargsyan said. The President of Armenia noted that resolve and spirit of the troops, their skills and growth of combat readiness compel him personally to make sure that the Armenian Army and the defense army in particular is never short of any material resources. “Just as yesterday and today, tomorrow too you will have the most contemporary combat weapon, because we have no alternative. We are living in a region where we must take care of our security ourselves. Naturally, we have allies and friends but you should know that help is rendered to those who can defend their honor. My generation paid its duty when it was needed. I am sure that you will do it even better. I am sure because I see it. I see that your commanders are more prepared than we were. I see that you are much more prepared that our troops were. Today, you have accomplished your mission brilliantly. I can see considerable growth which is very important and it must be continuous, I have no doubt. Every person has the opportunity for self-expression during the lifetime. And that self-expression should be appreciated by the Motherland, by the common people, by the officials. I am confident that your first and foremost appreciators are the people. You have emerged from the nation’s bosom and need that nation’s gratitude as well as appreciation. Things that you have demonstrated today truly deserve gratitude. You are becoming stronger, the defense army is acquiring not only experience, not only contemporary weaponry but it also rebuilds itself. And I am confident, if, God forbid that time comes, you will do whatever you have to do. You will do whatever you have been sworn to do,” the President of Armenia, Commander-in-Chief Serzh Sargsyan said and assured that our peoples’ rights have been and will be protected in the same way the troops have done their duty today.

Serzh Sargsyan and Bako Sahakian participated also at the opening ceremony of a new barracks in one of the military units.

In the evening, the Commanders-in-Chief of two Armenian Republics participated at the extended meeting at the Ministry of Defense of Karabakh where they recapped the results of the military exercises.

On 24 October, President Serzh Sargsyan, who is in Nagorno Karabakh on a working visit, together with the President of the NKR Bako Sahakian participated at the official ceremony of unveiling the monument in Mets Tagher village of Hadrut region dedicated to memory of those fallen in the Artsakh fight for freedom.

Later, the Presidents of Armenia and Artsakh had a private meeting. At the meeting discussed were issues related to the cooperation of the two Armenian states in different areas. Serzh Sargsyan and Bako Sahakian spoke also about the resolution of the Azeri-Karabakhian conflict, army building, and regional issues.