Public Television of Armenia
Dec 31 2006

ARMENIAN LEADER PRAISES RESULTS OF 2006, PLEDGES FAIR ELECTION IN
2007

Dear compatriots!

The year 2006 will soon go down in history. It was a peaceful and
successful year. The stable development of the country continued in
2006 as well. Thanks to this development, the state budget will
sharply increase in 2007. Wages, pensions and social aid will
steadily grow. Several social projects aimed at improving living
standards will also be implemented in 2007.

In 2006 we gloriously marked the 15th anniversary of Armenia’s
independence. The country’s achievements are noticeable and they will
continue in 2007 as well. We will celebrate the 15th anniversaries of
the army building and the liberation of Susa [Azerbaijani town in
Karabakh].

Today everyone will also remember the Armenian army. I wish soldiers,
who are celebrating the New Year in military units, a good service. I
bow my head to the memory of those killed in the war.

In 2006 Armenia’s involvement in international organizations also
increased. Relations with Russia remained in our memory with the
conduct of the Year of Armenia in Russia. The productive political
relations with Russia were established, economic cooperation was
expanded and a number of cultural projects were implemented.

The Year of Armenia in France started with the French president’s
state visit to Armenia and [ethnic Armenian singer] Charles
Aznavour’s unforgettable concert [in Yerevan]. The European
Neighbourhood Policy Action Plan was approved in 2006. The US
Millennium Challenge Corporation’s project was implemented with the
support of the US government. These projects will open up new
opportunities for developing the country in 2007 as well. The
Iran-Armenia gas pipeline will be also put into operation very soon.
We expect to implement new projects with Iran in the energy sector.

The negotiations on the settlement of the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict
also continued in 2006. The Nagornyy Karabakh republic’s de facto
existence and the Karabakh people’s right to independence as well as
its security must be ensured at the talks. The constitutional
referendum held in Karabakh once again proved strong position of the
Karabakh people.

The 2006 year was also important in the relations between Armenia and
the diaspora. The second Pan-Armenian congress, which discussed the
development of rural areas, was also held in 2006. I am sure that its
results will be noticeable in the near future.

The telethon organized by the Hayastan-Pan Armenian Foundation was
successful. Tens of thousands of families participated in the
telethon and they made their contributions to the development of
Artsakh [Nagornyy Karabakh].

Dear compatriots! We are entering the New Year with confidence of
continuing the reforms. The main goal of these reforms are to improve
people’s living standards.

The parliamentary election will also be held in 2007. I am sure that
it will be held up to the mark. Free and fair conduct of the election
should be a priority for each of us – Armenia, Artsakh and the
diaspora.

Dear compatriots! Happy New Year! I wish you and your families
success in 2007. Happy New Year!