OUTGOING ARMENIAN PRESIDENT PRAISES RECORDS IN FAREWELL ADDRESS TO NATION

Public TV
April 8 2008
Armenia

[Correspondent] Today is the last working day of President Robert
Kocharyan. The newly-elected president will be inaugurated tomorrow.

Kocharyan addressed the Armenian nation with a farewell message. He
said the progress of the country is apparent in the ten years while
he was in office but there still remains a lot to be done. Kocharyan
thanked the people for the trust, the [Armenian] diaspora for the
endorsement of his initiatives, and everyone he has worked during those
ten years. He conveyed hope that by joining efforts of the Armenians,
Armenia will continue to develop by the way of building a stable,
secure and prosperous country.

[President Robert Kocharyan] Dear compatriots! I am addressing you
for the last time today as the president of the Republic of Armenia.

Of course, there is a great temptation to report about the road
passed. However, I am not going to list the achievements of the past
ten years. The progress of the country is apparent, the quality of
life of the citizens has been significantly improved. There are only
few countries in the world whose development rates are compatible
with those of Armenia. Meanwhile, it is obvious there are still many
things to be done. The quality of life is still far from the desirable
level. I will not speak about the future issues either: that’s what
the next president and the cabinet should do. Those ten years were
merely a moment to me. The job of the republic’s president is complex
and very critical. But it is also a very interesting, creative job
that requires a permanent self-perfection. I am grateful to the people
of Armenia for the trust due to which I was in charge of our country
for ten years. I am grateful to all those I have had the chance to
work with and implement many projects together. I am grateful to
every citizen who has brought his – even little – contribution to
the country’s progress. I am grateful to the diaspora for endorsing
all my initiatives. I apologize to those whose life has not been
improved in those years, to those whose expectations have not been
fulfilled and the dreams have not come true. When leaving the office,
any person faces the question: was it possible to do more? Maybe,
it was possible, but I have done my best. I have worked with a heavy
timetable and not spared efforts. I have fulfilled all the promises
I had given to voters. I believe in the future of Armenia, in the
powerful potential of our nation, I believe in the capabilities of
the new president to rule the country effectively.

The society needs more optimism, efforts, trust and tolerance to
continue the success. We repeat continuously that our country is not
rich in resources and that human resources are our greatest treasure.

Dear compatriots! You are those people who raised this country and
continue to make it prosper. You develop our economy with your hard
work. It is due to you that Armenia is to have new achievements in
the years to come. I believe that a stable, secure and prosperous
Armenia is not far away because I believe in you.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress