Presidency hosts award-giving ceremony on Republic Day

On the occasion of Republic Day, President Serzh Sargsyan signed decrees to confer state awards and titles upon a group of outstanding figures of science, culture, education and healthcare.

Congratulating the awardees on this occasion, as well as on the Republic Day, Serzh Sargsyan handed in the awards during a gala event held today at the Presidency.

In his congratulatory speech, the President touched upon the meaning of the holiday, saying that as attended by all the layers of our people, the heroic battles of May 1918 forged a new army and a new statehood.

Serzh Sargsyan stressed that after all, we all have a common goal called progress of the Republic of Armenia. The President is convinced that the award-winners are among those who have made a personal contribution to our nationwide progress through everyday work

“What we went through and will be facing ahead was wisely and in a nutshell described as a fight for survival and repayment. Yes, it was a life-and-death struggle: we fought to live, and today we have to express gratitude to the defenders of our homeland by means of specific actions. It will take time, and I am confident that in the decades to come the rising generation will appreciate your work with as much appreciation and respect,” President Serzh Sargsyan said.

On behalf of the government and the people of Armenia, the President thanked the awardees for services and dedication, noting that the numerous they were in society, the richer our social and cultural life and the stronger our state would be.

According to the President, with the political move of May 28 - after a long break - the native Armenian was declared citizen of an Armenian state. He was supposed to be a new type of man with new social behavior. On this festive day, Serzh Sargsyan wished that each of us would be proud of holding an Armenian passport and would behave in a way befitting the nationals of a free and independent state.

Serzh Sargsyan said unity, strong statehood and well-conceived citizenship are crucial to success. This is what the experience of our ancestors – the soldiers of May 28 – is prompting us to do. According to the President, it provides the basis on which we can raise the Armenian statehood to a new level.