Honorable Mr. President,
Your Holiness,
gentlemen generals and officers, dear guests,

2011 is an anniversary year for the Armenian nation. The 20th anniversary of the declaration of the Third Republic – the most important event of the newest period of our history – will be marked this year. It is significant that the first republican event of the year is held today - the 19th anniversary of the formation of the Armenian Army.
It is a well known historical truth that independence is not given to nations, but is rather achieved through national struggles, and with the price of the blood of devoted heroes. The Third Armenian Republic was born under complicated historical-political conditions, when there was an evident war unleashed by the neighbor republic. The vanguards of this truly national struggle were the voluntary units formed by themselves, with the devoted selfless freedom fighters, many of whom gave their lives for the rebirth of our new state. The Armenian Army is a result of national love, devotion and sacrifices. And as an answer to this love, very well realizing its role, the Armenian soldiery accomplished and is continuing to accomplish its mission with honor, reliably defending the security of the Armenian borders and the peace of the people.

The previous years of army building passed under military-political tension in the region, the arming of the neighbor state, a policy of threatening to impose force, and under a condition when any moment war could be unleashed. Today we do face many foreign challenges, but such challenges have always existed and will continue to exist. Therefore, in order to meet them, it is necessary to be ready and watchful, and constantly improve and reinforce our armed forces. With this sense and slogan should pass every army day. Army life in 2010 was also saturated with problems, loads, and uprises. Purposeful work was done towards combat and recruitment preparedness, the process of interaction between conscription and recruitment, detachments, military commissariats and local self government bodies was improved. By the fall 2010 conscription the first generation born in Independent Armenia joined the Armed Forces, opening a new quality page for our Army – when the duty of protecting the Motherland is taken up by the youth that grew up in independence. Today we can already say with confidence that if necessity occurs, the creation of a “Pan-National Army” will not be just an idea, but rather a clearly developed and quite feasible program. And based on the work done in the Armed Forces, the strong Army-public tie and mutual trust, we are ready to implement the ARM President’s precept given after counterattacking exercises in the Defence Army, ‘When time comes, if we are forced, then this time our blow will be fatal and final’. The engineering work done during the year was unprecedented with it volumes, and as a result of this the state borders have become more invincible, and the defence and battle watch in the front lien has become more effective and safer. It’s important to note that this work in frontier dwelling-places promoted the safety and trust of the dwellers. Due to state care, we had essential progress in the process of saturating the troops with rocket-artillery, anti-aircraft defence and other modern armament and modernizing with means of national products, as a result of which increased the efficiency of the Army and the capabilities for precise firing. Due to housing servicemen and the improvements in their living conditions much better conditions were created for organizing the medical treatment, food, rest and leisure of the personnel. Comprehensive military-political relations continued with CSTO, as well as NATO member states. Different military-cooperation programs not only promote the increase of the reputation of our Armed Forces in international spheres, not only ensure security guarantees for us, but also become a whole around one common goal – stabile development and international integration for ARM Armed Forces. It is worth mentioning that during the “Cooperation-2010” rapid-tactical military exercises of the Collective Rapid Reaction Forces in the framework of the CSTO our motor-infantry company won the cup of the exercise managers, and this year a similar military exercise will be held in Armenia. The year of 2010 was announce a “Year of Knowledge” in the Army, which proves that the commanders give much importance to the combat preparedness of the personnel, the professional, legal, methodological, pedagogical knowledge of all the commanders, the development of state thinking, love and loyalty towards national, cultural and spiritual values. Armenian soldier has strong spirit, he is brave, and bold in dangerous times. On this ceremonial day how can we not remember the valor of the soldiers, who in 2010 crushed the enemy’s saboteur-investigation groups, or those who accomplished complicated combat tasks, saved the life of their battle friends endangering their own lives - the soldiers, who were awarded with state and departmental medals, as they deserved. How can we not be glorified when remembering conscript Armen Manukyan and Khachatur Baghdasaryan, who conquered the enemy’s special-unit saboteur in hand-to-hand combat. Our Army is rich in such soldiers and officers – the rows of the Armed Forces and the borders of the Motherland are strong thanks to such servicemen. Although today is a holiday, I want to note that the sorrowful events, which grieved deeply both the relatives of those, who passed away, and all of us, cast a shadow on our achievements and the works we did. I, as defence minister and as an Armenian, find the public attention towards the Armed Forces quite natural, as well as the relevant criticism in case of any violations, which, except when it is just a slander, helps us in our further work and also proves, that the Army continues to be under public care, and that year by year the Armed Forces become more transparent and controllable for our public. It is not a secret that the Army is the largest youth structure of the Republic, where vicious phenomena often penetrate. We will not stop our struggle against these phenomena, so that the Army can enter the third decade of its formation much more efficiently and disciplined, preserving its international reputation of corresponding to the modern military art and standards. The Armenian National Army was formed and is becoming stronger due to our people. Let us continue enveloping the Army with the strict parental care and constant attention, and only this way will it be possible to make its rows strong and invincible. Today’s soldier is yesterday’s student, and if we don’t take care of the military-patriotic education of the future soldiers in families, at schools and in student auditoriums, that will mean endangering the march of the Republic through centuries. In 2010 we celebrated the 65th anniversary of the victory in the Great Patriotic War. The celebrations transformed into honoring events of the three victorious generations – veterans of the Great Patriotic War, Freedom Fight of Artsakh and today’s protectors of the Motherland. We ought to respect the path that all the veterans passed, and ought to pass to the coming generations the example of the heroes who glorified the Armenian power in different times. We are going to continue enveloping our veterans with every-day care – envelope the lessons of their life and work, passing the traditions of their marital glory to the present generation of servicemen. At this ceremonial moment, I report that the Armenian Armed Forces, following the slogan “Quality Progress to the ARM AF Preparedness and the Defence Reforms”, will continue carrying out its mission, will reliably protect the peace of the borders and the Armenian people from any attack. Dear fellow citizens, On September 21, on the 20th anniversary of the Republic of Armenia, a ARM AF parade will be held in capital Yerevan. History accredits such parades only to victorious nations who are confident on their vital and spiritual strength. The Armenian Nation has truly earned this right. On that day, for the world to see, the grandiose rows of victorious Armenian soldiers will march through Republican Square, and it is beyond doubt that the military parade will become a victorious parade of the Armenian Nation, who has unbreakable morale and a unique talent of living, triumphing, and everlasting. In this symbolic year, when our independent state is becoming 20 years old, when we are moving towards the 20th anniversary of the Armed Forces, let us also remember that 2011 is also the 125th anniversary of Garegin Nzhdeh – the greatest dreamer of all times about an independent and powerful Armenia. This year let us remember and follow Nzhdeh’s ideas, his spirit, and his example of devotion to his mission and the Motherland. Congratulating to all of us – the Armenian people - on the 19th anniversary of the formation of the Armenian National Army. I wish us strength, will for new victories, unity and power to realize the most cherished national dreams. Glory to the Armenian Nation that enriches and strengthens the Republic of Armenia. Eternal glory to devotees who fell for the Motherland! Marital strength, inexorability, and unbreakable belief to the Armenian soldiery, who has the noble title of “Protector of the Motherland”, in accomplishing his mission! Honor and glory to the Armenian Army – the pride of all of us!