YEREVAN. - Nation-army is an army, which will never allow itself enter into a deal with a dishonest supplier, who has an unrealistic dream of making his family happy at the expense of a soldier.

Armenian Defense Minister Vigen Sargsyan said the aforementioned in his speech during the session of the board by the Armenia Defense Ministry.

Below is the Minister’s entire speech, in short:

“Military security is a fatal and direct, but also a long-term challenge. We didn’t made this choice: we were demanded to make it. Awakening from centuries-old doze, we came to once again find our national identity and were able to not only declare our independence but also defend ourselves in a cruel and unequal, and thereby only more heroic war.”

“25 years ago history provided us a surprise, which we were long waiting for, long preparing for and dreaming of without guessing that it would happen that fast. And as a child, who has just received what he dreamt about, we rushed forward without noticing the power of the wind blowing in our face. Before our eyes, or more precisely, right around us a superpower was collapsing, taking with it our illusionary prosperity, calmness, insight and confidence in tomorrow.

At lightning speed the life taught us things which seemed impossible: digging trenches, connecting with self-made radio stations, obtaining weapons, burying friends, queuing for bread with talons and lighting fire in wooden stoves in apartments. The entire world seemed to have collapsed. It also seemed life would never be the same.

The Armenian army is indeed an army born from the bosom of the nation. It is an army which has struggled for the security of our people for 25 years, an army which has brought joy of victories and pride to its society. It is a national army, since it has always served its nation and national ideas.

But the nation-army is incomparably more than a national army, since a national army serves its nation, whereas a nation-army is exactly the nation itself. Considering that our armed forces are incomparable large in comparison with the territory, population and country, they cannot be separated from that population. Our society cannot be isolated from the army. Nor can the army shut down, shrink into itself and move away from the people.”

“Nation-army is a society, which acts as one unity: This doesn’t mean militarization of a society or state. Conversely, it means democratization of the army, its fully-fledged integration in the areas of society, economy, culture, education, science, environmental protection and sports. That means putting what the army created and formed to the service of the entire society and state, as well as strengthening the country’s armed forces through all the achievements of civil life.

Nation-army is an army, the inseparable tie with which neither begins nor ends with conscription.

It is the army, which has a potential to educate and breed, transferring this to its people.

Nation-army is the society and armed forces, the movement between which goes unnoticed and where the innovative science and military industrial complex are separated by one step. Where economy grows and strengthens through the orders of its army, investments, creative capacities without bending under the load of carrying all this on its shoulders.

Nation-army is the confidence, which the society has towards its armed forces and its officer staff.

It is the society, where the military officer is the most respected and honored citizen. It is also the officer who is the embodiment of education, leadership and self-confidence but never self-satisfaction.

Nation-army is the school and the military unit, which are each other’s logical continuation, where the teacher, parent and commander jointly work towards the education of the future generation.

It is the army, which is the country’s absolute leader in efficient governance, elimination of corruption, integrity, modernization and creation of the elite of the generations to come. 

Nation-army is a defense system, where everyone is ready for mobilization, knowing precisely their actions, tasks and means. 

Nation-army is the country, where there are no soldiers and civilians, but a citizen in uniform and defender of the homeland in civilian clothing. 

“[…] Nation-army is also the society, which is constantly stands by his soldier who has gained disabilities and - if an irreversible has occurred - also by the family of the killed soldier.  

Nation-army is a family, where the father tempers his son since his birthday, and the mother – with the unavoidable feeling of sadness – accompanies her son to the army.  

But it is also the army which maintains strong connection between a soldier, and especially contract soldier, with his family without turning into a penitentiary institution which isolated a child from his family.

Nation-army is a military educational institution, whose graduates are horned to be such, since the education given to them is on demand and guarantees work: the professors are educated and skillful, students are happy and the environment is friendly and disposing. 

It is also the military officer, whose son doesn’t hesitate to respond that he wishes to become an officer like his father or mother.

Nation-army is the businessman, who considers rendering services to the army as an honor and responsibility. One who bakes a few grams more bread than ordered so that the soldier is satisfied.[…]

Nation-army is the army which will never allow itself enter into a deal with a dishonest supplier who has an unrealistic dream of making his family happy at the expense of a soldier.”

“[…] The greatest paradox is that we can’t chose or not chosethe nation-army doctrine. We can only adopt it exactly today and approach the implementation of that idea with a new vision and self-confident steps. I am sure that we will be able to carry out that idea together.

We have everything for this: right people, established state governance system, necessary resources and public need. Most importantly, we have the confidence and expectation of the head of state and the supreme commander-in-chief of the armed forces in regard to reliably maintaining the army positions and taking speedy steps in that direction in the area of nation-army. 

Thus, let’s move on towards new victories!"