Working visit of President Serzh Sargsyan to Nagorno-Karabakh Republic

President Serzh Sargsyan has arrived on a working visit to the Nagorno Karabakh Republic. At the airport of Stepanakert, the President of Armenia was greeted by the President of Artsakh Bako Sahakian, Commander of the Defense Army, General-Lieutenant Levon Mnatsakanian, other high ranking officers.

On the first day of the President’s visit, the leaders of the two Armenian states at a unit located in the Central part of the NKR were present at the opening of new barracks. President Sargsyan commended a number of servicemen who excelled in their duty. Later, in the framework of the military cooperation between the RA and NKR at the headquarters of the Defense Army there was held a meeting with the participation of the high-level military staff. Discussed were different issues pertinent to the army building.

The Commander of the DA presented to the leaders of the two Armenian states works carried out in recent months and forthcoming programs. During the meeting discussed were also the possibilities of augmenting the army with weapons and new technologies. 

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On December 9 - the second day of his visit to the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh, President of Armenia, Commander-in-Chief Serzh Sargsyan in the framework of the cooperation of the armed forces of the two Armenian states, accompanied by the President of NKR Bako Sahakian, Ministers of Defense of Armenia and Artsakh, and high ranking military officials visited a number of units located at the southern and south-eastern segments of NKR.

At one of defense positions, the Presidents listened to the report of the commander, observed the course of combat duty, and familiarized with the works aimed at the enforcement of the defense structure. On the site, the Presidents discussed issues related to the readiness of the troops and gave corresponding instructions. The President of Armenia awarded the best officers of the unit, conscripts and contract servicemen for their diligent and excellent service. For the exceptional courage, selfless valor and boundless dedication the commander of N. unit Aram Hayrian was awarded by the President of Armenia with the second degree Combat Cross Order.

The President of Armenia attended also the opening ceremony of a multi-apartment building and two barracks, observed the housing conditions created for the officers and congratulated them on the occasion of receiving new homes. President Sargsyan handed also incentive gifts to the servicemen who excelled in their duties.

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On December 10, President Serzh Sargsyan together with the President of Nagorno Karabakh Bako Sahakian visited defense positions located near one of the northern parts of Artskah Mataghis and Talish.

The Presidents listened to the report of the commander of the unit, after which the leaders of the two Armenian states were demonstrated the engineer and fortification infrastructure and new technologies for reliable defense. The President of Armenia commended a number of servicemen who excelled in their service.

In another NKR defense location there took place the opening ceremony for a barrack and service buildings after which Presidents Serzh Sargsyan and Bako Sahakian together with the RA art workers visiting Artskah were present at the concert for the military staff which took place on the drill ground.

In the evening, at the Culture and Youth Palace in Stepanakert, the Presidents of Armenia and NKR were present at the event named Strong Faith, Powerful Army, Secure Homeland.

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At the Rebirth Square in Stepanakert, President Serzh Sargsyan together with the President of NKR Bako Sahakian and the NKR Minister of Defense Levon Mnatsakanian participated at the event during which a group of the NKR Defense Army servicemen and freedom fighters were awarded with valuable gifts for their diligent service and patriotic activities.

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President Serzh Sargsyan, who conducted a working visit to the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh on December 8-11, in the evening of December 11 in Stepanakert met with art workers of Armenia who are visiting Artsakh.

The President of Armenia expressed readiness to hold such gathering days ago during his meeting with the Minister of Culture of Armenia Armen Amirian. The meeting, which took place in the capital of Artsakh was also attended by the Ministers of Culture of Armenia and NKR.

First, at the request of the participants, the President of Armenia spoke about the purpose of his visit to Artsakh, meetings and discussions held in the framework of the visit, results of his visits to the defense positions of the Defense Army and then answered the questions raised by the art workers, listened to their concerns regarding problems existing in the area and proposals on the possible avenues to address them.