Statement of President Armen Sarkissian at the award ceremony on the occasion of Independence Day

Distinguished Mr. Prime Minister,

Distinguished Speaker of the National Assembly,

Esteemed members of the government,

Dear soldiers and freedom fighters,

Generals and Officers,
Dear Intellectuals and Medical Workers,

Representatives of arts, science, culture, and sports,

Dear Compatriots,

First, I would like to congratulate you all cordially on the occasion of Independence Day of the Republic of Armenia, and you, dear awardees, also on receiving awards, ranks, and titles.

Our brothers and sisters in Armenia, Artsakh, and Diaspora, all those who fought and dedicated themselves to the Fatherland, who died for its independence bequeathed us all to spare nothing for the present and future of our country. We have to fulfill the promise.

As a nation and state, much lies for us ahead – new projects, new objectives, new victories.

To achieve that we need a precise vision, a feasible plan and with this regard the vision and programs presented today by the Prime Minister and government are commendable. I hope they will be presented for a broad public debate.

It is also very important that we demonstrate unwavering resolve, discipline, diligence, persistence and, certainly, have credence and dedication.

First and foremost, we need credence that we are masters of our destiny. Credence that we are able to make our dreams come true, credence that words should be supported by deeds.

Today, we again have devotees next to us - you. Devotees who defend the borders of our culture and science, our healthcare and education, devotees who are carriers of our national identity, and national values, our defenders, devotees who bring their contribution to the empowerment of the Fatherland in the great task of upholding the security of our Homeland.

Your awards and ranks prove once again that diligent work and selfless service to the Fatherland are the most significant pivots for the empowerment of our Fatherland. I thank you all.

Regrettably, I don’t see many of familiar faces and I am not able to thank many of you personally. But on this momentous and important day, I would be remiss not to mention one or two persons. One of them is Samvel Karapetian, whom I knew personally since 1970s when Armen Hakhnazarian of blessed memory introduced Samvel to me. A person, who dedicated his entire life to the history of our nation and dedicated himself to this important task. Without Samvel, we would not have today huge chunks of our history and culture. Chunks would be there but we would not recognize them. Samvel worked as an exceptionally dedicated person, a real hero: his whole life, every moment of it he fulfilled with dedication the mission that God sent him for to the Armenian land. I am sorry that Samvel is not with us today.

Days ago, I had the honor to sign a decree by which Hrair Hovakimian was awarded the title of the Hero of the Republic of Armenia. I know Hrair for almost 30 years, since 1992 when he came to Yerevan and started his work at the Mikaelian Institute. He left the United States and moved to Armenia. In times when in our entire region cardiologic therapy and surgery were nearly non-existence, Hrair with his own hands and spirit created that school. He really established a school because he saw his followers during his lifetime. And today, Armenia is one of the best cardiology centers of the region. Thank you, Hrair. And as it happens in real schools, with real masters, the true master is enjoying the work of his students. In a certain period of time, when Hrair himself had a heart attack, his students saved him. This is a beautiful story, and it was a great honor indeed for me to sign the decree to award the title of the Hero of the Republic of Armenia to Hrair Hovakimian.

I wish that all our doctors, medical workers, from ambulance drivers to doctors, heads of hospitals receive commendation they deserve very soon because they all are making a great contribution to the fights against coronavirus.

I thank you all. I would like to repeat that the destiny of our Fatherland depends on us, on our solidarity, unity, respect, and tolerance toward each other.

We have to unite. We need to work together no matter how different our approaches, visions, and perceptions are.

We have to look forward, live and act coherently, in step with the times. And we must never forget our past and traditions, our national and moral values, our history and legacy, our mother tongue. I once again congratulate us all on Armenia’s Independence Day. Long live the Republic of Armenia!

Long live the Republic of Artsakh!

Long live our nation in Armenia, Artsakh and Diaspora!

God bless us all.