You are getting stronger and more combat-ready each day, President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan, who is also the Chief General of Armed Forces, said on Saturday after tactical military exercises in one of the military training facilities located in southern Karabakh.

In his speech, Sargsyan particularly noted the following:

“I congratulate all of you on fulfilling the educational and military task successfully.  Good for you! Our people constantly faced hardships during history: its security wasn’t ensured but today the security of our people is in strong hands thanks to the Armenian army. We should do everything together with you in order for nobody to try to disturb our security.

The Armenian army formed and strengthened during the last 25 years. We were forming the armed forces parallel with the military actions but together with this we tried to acquire skills, be more disciplined and strike the adversary stronger every day. We should do the same now. Although the combat-readiness of our troops is high, we should acquire new knowledge every day and be able to make the best of our armament, since armament per se is nothing: The armament turns into a weapon when the officer and soldier are able to use that weapon.

Dear soldiers, I am confident that you are getting stronger and more combat-ready every day, since if this is not the case, the danger will certainly turn into reality, the danger will turn into conflict, the danger will turn into war, while you are the suppressors of war here in this region.

I am grateful to you parents for your upbringing and your teachers for educating you, and of course, I am grateful that you can do what is almost impossible.

Be sure that the leadership and Government of the Republic of Armenia will continue to constantly consider the armament of our armed forces and insurance of armed forces as its number one issue. And you, for your part, should convince our people by your daily service of that you are ready to keep our borders unassailable.”