Your Excellency Mr President, Your Holiness, Generals, Officers, Soldiers and distinguished guests Today is one of those days filled with joy and pride, for we recall events of almost 20 years ago that had us break into smiles through tears, events that have become historic moments of heroic defence of our motherland and our newly-independent statehood. These events are tightly connected with the most precious notion of ARMENIAN ARMY that we hold so dear to our hearts. Today is the 20th anniversary of the Armenian Armed Forces creation and I heartily congratulate us all on this great occasion. The Armenian Army traces its history back for millennia. Words such as “bellicose” or “invader” have never been used to describe Armenians, nonetheless Armenians were unhesitant to draw a sword and wield it equally skilfully for the sake of their homeland, their conviction and human dignity. Several outstanding victories, once and for all enshrined in the history of military art, testify to this resilience. In other words the Armenian army is both ancient and new- forged by centuries of experience and filled with youthful ardour. Today is the day of our great contemporary- Armenia’s new army. While browsing through the world history you are less likely to find many cases when the national army is formed in the midst transformation of socio-political system, overcoming disastrous effects of an earthquake and blockade, atrocious war. The newly born Armed forces had to undergo great adversities and overcame them thanks to the grit of devoted fellows. Today our Armed Forces enter the 3rd decade of their existence having the historical justice partially restored. We were compelled to start a war with hunting rifles, with weaponry inherited from the former Soviet army or seized from the rival. Today we have a rabidly developing military-industrial complex enabling domestic production of different types of weapons. Yes, today we have our armed forces fully sustained. Problems which were previously intractable can now be easily handled. This achievement became possible thanks to the resiliency, courage and wisdom of our nation and thanks God Armenians are that type. Our nation’s efforts and understanding lie at the very heart of our armed forces continuous development. And this allows the president and the military political leadership to allocate state resources for strengthening the Armed Forces. And of course, it is this common national approach that makes large-scale achievements and accomplishments in the Armed Forces possible, including full complement of state-of-the-art military equipment and types of weapons, improvement of fortifications in the line of contact, and conditions for duty performance, social welfare and recreation, permanent attention to housing and social issues of the war and service-disabled and fallen soldiers’ families, large-scale capital construction and renovation. All these measures increase our capabilities on almost daily basis. Grows the strength of our Armed Forces and we can confidently state that our Army constantly improves and has taken its path to reforms and development. In this respect we need to mention the importance of our international military cooperation and for which we pursue of two major objectives. The first objective is the effective international integration to meet modern challenges, and the second is reforms in Armenia’s defense sector through incorporation of international experience. Our efforts both within the framework of CSTO and bilateral strategic cooperation with Russia contribute to the enhancement of Armenia’s security level .At the same time cooperation with NATO and other partners aims at building and enhancing our capabilities. The Armed Forces of Armenia remain highly committed to assumed international responsibilities – our peacekeeping contingent deployed to Iraq, Kosovo and Afghanistan have provided and continue to provide assistance to build free and democratic societies. Armenia’s Armed forces have shown themselves to the world with flexibility and ability to be reformed. Over the period 2008 to 2011 the process of the Strategic Defence Review was conducted and actions to implement findings of this review have been summarized in a comprehensive document- the Armed Forces Development Plan. This document is meant to ensure long-term sustainable development through reliable defensive capability, reestablishment, modernization and military cooperation. One of the main directions of MoD activities has been directed to fostering army-school relationships in order to promote patriotism among pre-draft-age youth, schoolboys and students. Armed forces opened doors for the society and this played an important role creating opportunities to get familiar with the routine of soldiers and get basic idea about military service duties. We will continue to make persistent efforts to become more transparent, improve mechanisms for democratic oversight over armed forces and make them more effective paying special attention to human rights protection in armed forces. The Armed Forces belong to the people and they exist for a unique mission to serve the nation. It is important that today our nation feels the strength and power of the army and places great trust in the army to provide reliable security. The pride we take in the army and enthusiastic mood and high spirit we all shared during the 20th anniversary of independence and the military parade need to be continuously preserved. Today at this concert hall among the attendees there are servicemen who are coevals of our Army born on January 28, 1992. At that time their parents could not have even imagined the day of their children’s birth would become significant for our nation. Today their sons carry out their military service in an army that enjoys a worldwide reputation. They can be proud for being born on the day of formation of national armed forces which is one of the best in the world - best in combat efficiency proven during daily combat duty performance, best in high preparedness of the reserve component. These young men born in an independent homeland are witnesses to a victorious army and I am confident that they are invincible. They are masters of their fate and they are to lead our nation to its brilliant future. As The President Serzh Sargsyan, the Supreme Commander the Armed Forces mentioned in his speech during the military parade on September 21, “The most precious thing we have is the generation of independence.” Dear compatriots The Armed Forces still enjoys the support of those many that carry the heavy and responsible burden of the Armed Forces creation. On behalf of the Armed forces personnel allow me to express gratitude to you all for your patriotic devotion. I also want to thank all fellow Armenians who made tremendous contribution to the development of army honorably performing their 2-year combat-duty service and today comprise the reserve component as a reliable force. The day of Armed Forces first of all belongs to devotees who sacrificed their lives for the sake of their country- this day belongs to veterans of the liberation war. We bow our heads in memory of those brave men who courageously volunteered and fell during the liberation war and after the cease-fire while performing combat duty. We ought to pay tribute to them and take care of their families. This is the way we pledge our readiness to bring their cause to successful end. We ought to pay consistent attention to veterans of World War II and Artsakh Liberation War, passing on their advice and valorous traditions to the young generation. This year’s slogan for the Armed Forces will be the same –“High quality progress for the Armed Forces readiness and defence reforms”. Our priority for the near future is to guarantee the independence, security and civilized existence of the people of the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh, to maintain the Armed Forces combat readiness and to improve combat duty conditions, to carry out the armed forces military-industrial complex development program and to introduce military education standards. 2001 was a year of unprecedented positive results in the dimension of discipline enhancement decreasing the number of incidents and we pledge to continue our consistent efforts. Mr. President, dear compatriots! We will not step back from the position we hold alongside with best armies in the world and we will not quit guaranteeing the regional security, equilibrium and preserving justice. At this solemn moment I report to the Supreme Commander and I assure our nation that the Armenian Armed forces- having gone through valiant struggle and carrying out its mission for the benefit of our state and nation- will not relax its vigilance for a single moment and will continue to ensure stability on borders and peaceful life for our nation against any possible infringements. We are not going to stop with our achievements, for only with hard work, devotion, and diligence can we shape brilliant future for our nation and for our country. Once again I congratulate us all on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the Armed Forces creation. May Lord bless all Armenians and make national aspirations come true! Eternal glory to devotees of the Armenian army and long live Armenia! Hooray!!!