YEREVAN. -  The President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan congratulated the nation on the occasion of New Year and Christmas holidays, Armenian News-NEWS.am reports.

“The past year was full of many initiatives and events, but the most important were profound efforts aimed at economic recovery and improvement of security of Armenia. We have further deepened economic, political and military cooperation between Armenia and the Russian Federation, and in the coming year, I am sure, we will become a full member of the Customs Union,” President Sargsyan mentioned in his congratulatory message.

According to him, “Armenia creates a new reality,” which is more secure and more competitive. The cooperation with Europe and the United States further deepened.

“Our goal remains the same: we want to achieve Armenia as a modern state with a civil society and legal system,” added Serzh Sargsyan. “We admit that the past year was also the year of challenges.”

Armenia’s president recommended to start the 2014 with the optimism and serious plans.

“I also congratulate all our compatriots in Artsakh and the Diaspora. I send special congratulations to our Syrian brothers and sisters who are going through hardships. Their pain is our common pain. On this day we pray and believe that tomorrow, in 2014, they will reach peace and prosperity,” said President Sargsyan in his message.