Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Armenian President stresses importance of Feb 19 election

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • Armenian President stresses importance of Feb 19 election

    ITAR-TASS, Russia
    Jan 1 2008

    Armenian President stresses importance of Feb 19 election

    01.01.2008, 15.42


    YEREVAN, January 1 (Itar-Tass) - Presidential election scheduled for
    February 19 will become a guarantee of stability over the next five
    years if it is held at a proper level, Armenia's President Robert
    Kocharian said in a New Year televised address to the nation.

    `There is no sense to speak about successes without stability,' he
    said, adding that he believes in Armenia's prosperous future and in
    the potential of its people.

    The said the past year was one of the `most successful years' in the
    country's recent history.

    `The authorities focused on the strengthening of security, the
    economy, the social sphere and democracy,' Kocharian said. `Economy
    continued growing at a fair rate, too.'

    `This made it possible for us to earmark more finance for the
    solution of social problems, the main of which is the elimination of
    poverty,' he went on saying.

    `The combat capability of our Armed Forces and their ability to
    defend our citizens' peaceful life continued increasing,' Kocharian
    said.

    Armenia gained more international prestige and its integration in
    international associations increased as well, he said. `The May
    parliamentary election showed maturity of Armenian society and its
    encouraging attitude towards reforms we're implementing'.

    `All these achievements provide a guarantee that the year 2008 will
    also be a success,' Kocharian said, warning however that `much
    everyday work is needed to overpower the existing challenges.'

    In the first place, this concerns the standards of living. `Our
    people deserve a continued improvement of life,' he said. `Our
    country and its citizenship must be a subject of pride for every
    person of Armenian nationality.'

    `Also, we must redouble efforts in helping our brothers in Nagorny
    Karabakh /a much-troubled enclave of Azerbaijan populated by ethnic
    Armenians and seeking state independence - Itar-Tass/ in building an
    efficient statehood,' he said.

    'A strengthening of the Armed Forces will remain an objective of
    primary concern for us, since the country's security is a crucial
    element of our progress,' Kocharian said. `We must always remember
    all those who gave their lives for our peaceful and dignified
    development.'

    He urged Armenian communities worldwide to intensify their engagement
    in the economic development of their historical homeland, as `this is
    the best way towards retaining the Armenian diaspora's ethnic
    self-identity.'

    This was Kocharian's last New Year address to the nation in the
    capacity of president. His second five-year term of office comes to
    an end in 2008 and Armenian Constitution says he can't run for
    presidency another time.
Working...
X