I cordially congratulate you on the 18th anniversary of the creation of the Armenian Army. The 28th of January is one of the most significant days in our country. Being a birthday for our army it is a holiday for all Armenians.
Here I can’s help remembering the mood people had in Soviet times on the 23rd of February. That day had grown to be men’s day. Today one can fact that 28th of January is such a day in the Republic of Armenia - a celebration of the nation’s strength, power and dignity. The Armenian Army was born in the battlefield, became forged in battle activities and has overcome that severe challenge with honor, restoring the truth that our people are able to consolidate its strengths and achieve victory even with heavy losses.

Not at all overlooking the role of separate voluntary detachments I find it worth mentioning that parallel to the development of our state we owe the regular detachments for our final triumph in the freedom fight of Artsakh – detachments, which were formed in the heat of the war.
In the past 18 years our army has grown and became powerful. It has become a firm stronghold of the creative work of our nation and a reliable guarantee of peace. By systematically visiting detachments I myself watch over the processes that go on there, the work that is being done, the living conditions of the staff, the moral-psychological atmosphere and of course the realization of the battle readiness program. Indeed, the progress and developments are obvious in the professional development of the staff, I in reequipping and actualizing the armaments and military equipment and in the sphere of effectively organizing the process of fighting capacities.
However, we don’t have the right to be content with what we have achieved. The official system has to be in tune with the demands of the time and the new standards. It requires a constant and continuous development.
Today reforms in the AF continue. A new 2010-2015 phase of reforms is planned, and its step by step realization will make our army more efficient and perfect both physically and morally. So, we all are to face a consistent and persistent work.

Although today is a celebration but we ought never to neglect the shortcomings in our army. Addressing my words to the commander personnel of the RA Army, to all the officers in general, as a co-server I want to ask, and as the Chief of the RA AF GS – to demand that they be model, never tolerate negative phenomena in the army, spare no efforts to educate your inferiors with the spirit of valour and unlimited devotion to the motherland.

In the recent times the swaggers of the enemy regarding the resolution of the Kharabagh issue by force. We are sure that no enemy will dare to violate our borders, hoping for a final victory. But still, if an encroachment be taken against our nation and our state, then the Armenian Army, due to its best fighting capacities and the manifestation heroic spirit the Armenian Army will be able the entire armed forces of the enemy. Our army is not going to attach any country, but has aimed to protect the motherland. Our struggle is fare and the victory will be in our side. Once again I congratulate you all, wish you safe service, health and happiness to you and your families. Chief of the RA AF GSColonel-General Yuri Khachaturov