Working visit of President Serzh Sargsyan to Nagorno-Karabakh Republic

RA President Serzh Sargsyan who has made a working visit to the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic as part of the RA and NKR armed forces’ joint operative-tactical military exercises “Unity-2014,” today, accompanied by NKR President Bako Sahakyan, the two Armenian republics’ defense ministers and some representatives of the supreme command of the armed forces, observed the military exercises conducted by the sub-units of the Defense Army in the central part of the Artsakh Republic and encouraged the most distinguished servicemen.

The RA and NKR Presidents also took part in the opening of a number of new military buildings, familiarized with servicemen’s everyday life and their living conditions. Afterwards, they visited one of the command posts of the Defense Army to listen to the decision made by the commander of the Defense Army.

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On the second day of his working visit to the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, the RA President and the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the RA Armed Forces, Serzh Sargsyan, in company of NKR President Bako Sahakyan, observed the RA and NKR armed forces’ “Unity-2014” joint operative-tactical military exercises at the Tigranakert Military Training Center. A tank biathlon competition was demonstrated during which the best participant in shooting and other categories were determined. The Presidents of the two Armenian republics observed the live-fire firing phase from the observation-tower of the same military training center followed by an award giving ceremony dedicated to the servicemen actively involved in the military exercise and military service. Serzh Sargsyan congratulated the participants of the military exercise on demonstrating courage and high fighting abilities in the imitated battle and the successful implementation of these large-scale military exercises.

“Honorable generals and officers,

Dear soldiers,

The biggest, the most large-scale and useful military exercises that have been ever conducted with the cooperation of the NKR Defense Army and the RA Armed Forces are coming to their end, and despite the deplorable occurrence, I think that the military exercises have succeeded. Of course, corresponding experts and executives are yet to sum up, analyze and draw conclusions about them but we are happy for what we saw in the imitated battle. You demonstrated high fighting abilities, will and devotion to the Motherland. Well done, thank you.

Throughout these days, not only your proud parents, but also the entire population of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic and the Republic of Armenia have focused their attention on you, because your are our hope and belief, our sword and shield, and as you know, the shield is stronger and the sword is sharper when they are used for just purposes. You serve the ends of justice

Thank you.

Of course, you have been followed by foreigners and, first of all, the ones who consider us their enemies, who use indiscriminate methods and are able to chop a sleeper, who are able to destroy a non-dangerous helicopter that has got into a difficult situation. It is their business. You do your work well. We all remember everything, and the day of retribution will come. Your task is very clear: continue in the same spirit. I have said numerous times and I am reiterating that the war instigated by the Republic of Azerbaijan at the beginning of the 90s was also the result of underestimation, and if, God forbid, they instigate war once again, we too will be guilty of giving them the chance to underestimate us.

Respectable officers,

Dear soldiers,

Your behavior demonstrated in the imitated battle and the contact line, as well as your fighting trim deserves not underestimation, but appreciation. Your mastery already makes very many Azeri simpletons change their opinion about war. They thought that fighting against Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia was a short and pleasant hobby, something like a flash mob – to assemble, perform an act, be photographed and disperse. No, there will be no flash mob and pleasant walk. I am confident that war will not occur either, because you are strong and are standing here.

Dear soldiers,

Remember, there has been written a lot on papers, including rights of humans and nations, but those rights need to be protected, and you are the guarantors of those rights. A lot of peoples of the world truly take pride in their armies, but you are responsible for our life and the security of our people. We believe in you and resting on that belief, we will do everything to reach a fair solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and ensure Armenia's and Artsakh's security.

We are grateful to you. You are our sons, we secure your rear and you are our defenders. Remember it. I wish all of you success. Military exercises are not the end, but the beginning of your fighting trim, diligence, sufferings, because both war and military exercises are emergency situations. And an emergency situation requires emergency actions that are full of difficulties and sufferings. But remember: there is not holier thing than serving the Motherland's security. You do it very well.

I would like to thank you on behalf of our people.

I wish you good service,” said the RA President and the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the RA Armed Forces, Serzh Sargsyan, in his speech to the participants of the military exercise.

Later on, a military parade took place at the Tigranakert Military Training Center.
Presidents Serzh Sargsyan and Bako Sahakyan today also attended the opening of a newly-built military hospital in Martakert town.

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The RA President and the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the RA Armed Forces, Serzh Sargsyan, and Artsakh President Bako Sahakyan in the morning of November 15 visited the permanent place of allocation of the separate fire brigade as part of the two Armenian Republics’ “Unity-2014” joint operative-tactical military exercises and observed demonstrative exercises conducted in a restricted area.

The Presidents placed flowers at the Monument to Vazgen Sargsyan, paying tribute to the memory of the Armenian and Artsakh national hero.

Serzh Sargsyan also visited the defensive line, watched actions of various sub-units, attended the opening ceremonies of a new military barrack and a military town, as well as encouraged the distinguished servicemen.

At the end of his working visit, President Serzh Sargsyan attended the opening ceremony of an angiography center at the Republican Medical Center in Stepanakert. The center specializes in the installation of coronary stents for heart and all other organs, as well as in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with coronary diseases.