YEREVAN. - A solemn award-giving ceremony was held at the Armenian Presidential Palace today on occasion of the Armenian Army Day. During the event, a number of Armenian servicemen were awarded for dedication and courage during fulfillment of their service duties, as well as for significant services. President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan, who is also the Commander-in-Chief of Armenia, conveyed a congratulatory message on occasion of the Army Day, also congratulating the awardees on the high awards and titles.  

In the message, the President noted that the Armenian Armed Forces turned into the first stones on which state building was grounded.

Sargsyan also said that the tragic events in the Middle East and generally many areas close to Armenia are painfully familiar to the Armenian people and have been recurring periodically; Armenia has witnessed them over the last century and at least two millennia.

According to the President, when Armenia took the responsibility for its own fate 25 years ago, it realized that that was equivalent to entering a battlefield.

“And we did enter. We entered for the sake of human and people’s rights, for the sake of liberty.”

Addressing to the servicemen, Sargsyan noted that it is thanks to them and their fellow-servicemen that the Armenian Armed Forces are fulfilling their mission and solving the tasks set before them.  “You do this with honor and at high professional level,” he added.