Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan held a consultation with the senior officers of the Armed Forces at the Ministry of Defense. Among the attendees were Minister of Defense Vagharshak Harutyunyan, the deputy chiefs of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, Lieutenant-General Artak Davtyan and others.

During the consultation, the Prime Minister stated the following: “Citizens and government officials can’t underestimate the unforgettable services that several generals, officers, subalterns, sergeants and privates of the Armed Forces have provided and continue to provide to Armenia. I would like to record that together we still bear responsibility and am certain that we will bear it with honor. I would also like to state that the needs of the Armed Forces are and will remain in the government’s focus. This means that we must discuss, analyze and answer several questions and form a general vision for the future of the Armed Forces. Once again, I would like to express gratitude to everyone for their services.

You are aware that Colonel-General Onik Gasparyan has been relieved of the post of Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces by virtue of law. I would like to express gratitude to Mr. Gasparyan for his services to Armenia. You are also aware that I have submitted a petition to the President of Armenia to appoint Lieutenant-General Artak Davtyan Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces. Davtyan was the chief of the General Staff in 2018-202 and is known to everyone for his work. I am certain that together we will be able to overcome these trials and tribulations. I would like to ask everyone to continue to provide their services as army generals and officers and as guarantors of Armenia’s security and territorial integrity.”

The Prime Minister added that there will be a more detailed conversation during the meeting to be held in regard to the appointment of the new chief of the General Staff. Simultaneously, the head of government emphasized that the most important thing in this difficult period is national unity which is necessary for the Republic of Armenia and its people.