President Signed Decree

[Gavur]

President Signed Decree on Instituting Prize for Contribution to Armenian Genocide Recognition

Armenian President Robert Kocharian signed a decree on instituting a prize for the contribution to the Armenian Genocide recognition, reported RA leader's press service. The prize will be annual and will consist of a certificate, order and money award. The prize was instituted due to the agreement concluded with the members of Rober Poghosian & Sons Foundation and Hayastan Pan-Armenian Foundation.
© PanArmenian

[Gavur]

New Year Congratulatory Address by President of the Republic of Armenia

01 January



New Year Congratulatory Address by President of the Republic of Armenia Robert Kocharian
Dear Compatriots:
In a few minutes year 2005 will become history. For our country and for our people it has been a peaceful, stable and productive year. The package on Constitutional reforms has been adopted, which will undoubtedly enhance a comprehensive development of the state and society.
In the passing year we have been able to preserve a rapid growth of our economy. Our objective is to make sure that the economic growth has a direct and positive impact on the well-being of our people. It is obvious, that parallel to the economic development the social component of the state budget grows too. Starting from January 1 salaries and pensions will be raised once again. Much more money than before is being allocated for education, health care and culture. Today we view the future of the country with more precision and more optimistically. Present economic conditions allow us to address not only the current issues, but provide also for the mid-term programs. It is an achievement, and there is no doubt about that.
Disproportion in the pace of development of Yerevan and the regions remains a problem for Armenia. Thanks to the American “Millennium Challenge” program next years will see a breakthrough for the development of our rural community. This issue will become the main topic of the “Armenia-Diaspora” conference to be held in Yerevan in September, 2006. The conference will be spearheaded at the reduction of poverty and further strengthening of the Armenia-Diaspora relations.
Armenia has continued to conduct a balanced foreign policy. Year 2006 is declared the Year of Armenia in Russia and France, which testifies to the highest possible level of relations between our states. Program of individual cooperation has been presented to the European Union for consideration, which will allow to expand interaction with this structure. Relations with Iran develop as well; strategic programs in the sphere of energy are being implemented.
One of the most important guarantees for the stability of the country is our army, which is becoming more powerful each year. It has become a good tradition at the gatherings on this holiday season to congratulate and wish good service to our servicemen, who at the New Year night safeguard the borders of our country. I bow to the memory of the fallen heroes.
Dear Compatriots from Armenia, Artsakh and Diaspora:
Year 2006 will mark the Fifteenth Anniversary of the Republic of Armenia. We start this year with good prerequisites for the economic and political development. With all my heart, I wish you a Happy New Year. I wish you happiness and success.
Happy New Year!


RA Prime Minister A. Margaryan's Greetings Message on the Occasion of the New Year and Christmas
Dear Compatriots,
There is little time left before the year 2005 goes into the past. What did it bring to our State, our families, each of us: which of our expectations have come true, what new achievements and losses have we had? Estimates may vary, but one thing is certain: the outgoing year was full of crucial events and social-political activity for our State.
Irrespective of present political divergences, we must first and foremost wish each other peace as we are all well aware of the cost of peace paid by our people, thereby I wish everlasting peace reigned in your homes and country-wide. Next year we shall be celebrating the 15th anniversary of our independent statehood. Last year the government's efforts were focused upon the enhancement of our country's defending capacity, preservation of stability inside the country, maintenance of economic growth due to what we were able to advance successfully along the path of phased solution of the most urgent social problems and envisage more ambitious programs for the year 2006.
What is essential is to ensure that economic progress makes itself felt in every single household. We understand that today's achievements are still far from being satisfactory, and we have to build on the past ones year after year in order to provide a secure and prosperous future for our State and nationals. We have always tried to be frank to you away from binding us with pretty but unfeasible commitments and we have so far managed to keep the promises made. This will be the case in the future, too.
Along with economic achievements, last year was marked with an event of top importance to our statehood, namely the referendum on constitutional amendments, the successful completion of which urges us ahead towards new targets in the legislative field.
None the less important in terms of local self-government capacity building were the regional elections held in 2005. As a whole, last year was marked with key political developments. It is up to us to preserve the achievements had by setting right the wrongs and catching up the failures step by step and in due course. We are the eyewitnesses of an ever-changing world, mankind appears to be facing numerous serious challenges on the threshold of the third millennium. We continue living in a region abounding in conflicts, including the Karabakh one. Thereby, sensible and balanced steps along with a general drive for placing the national interest above any others as reinforced with a constructive stance adopted on all sides is the calling of time. We should be confident that our homeland is blessed with peace and general well-being and our homes - with warmth and prosperity.
Dear Compatriots in Armenia, Artsakh and Javakhk, I wish you all robust health, unbreakable will and unlimited faith on the way to independence. May your families be blessed with love, warmth and happiness and all your dreams come true in the years ahead.
Happy New Year and Happy Christmas.