SERZH SARGSYAN SWORN IN AS NEW PRESIDENT OF ARMENIA
ARMENPRESS
April 9, 2008
YEREVAN, APRIL 9, ARMENPRESS: President-Elect, Prime Minister
Serzh Sargsyan was sworn in today as new president of Armenia at an
inauguration ceremony at Opera and Ballet Theater.
Before the ceremony started Armenian flag was brought in to the hall,
as well as the original copy of Armenia’s Constitution and the 7-th
century Bible from Matenadaran Institute of Old Manuscripts.
Placing his right hand on the Bible and the Constitution Serzh
Sargsyan took the oath by swearing "to fulfill the requirements of the
Constitution in an unreserved manner; to respect the fundamental human
and civil rights and freedoms; to ensure the protection, independence,
territorial integrity and security to the glory of the Republic of
Armenia and to the welfare of the people of the Republic of Armenia".
Then Catholicos Karekin II, head of the Armenian Church, took the
rostrum to give his blessings to the new president. He said Serzh
Sargsyan takes over as president at a crucial moment in the country’s
history to serve the homeland and the people.
In his speech Sargsyan said he recognizes the enormous responsibility
that he has assumed. "I know that I will be the one whom you will
consider responsible for everything. I pledge not to avoid the
responsibility, the magnitude of which I realized when joining the
Republican Party and declaring that I would agree to be nominated for
the presidential elections only in case the Republican Party won the
largest number of votes in the parliamentary elections. I realize the
magnitude of the responsibility now, and I shall recognize it every day
for the next five years. I shall bear with honor the responsibility
of being the President of all citizens of the Republic of Armenia,"
he said.
He thanked his supporters, all the individuals that have voted for
his program. "I am grateful for the confidence. I assure you that
together we can improve life in our country. Today, I call for a
change. Once again, we are proclaiming a new beginning for change.
Everyone must be ready to start change from one’s own self," he said.
He also appealed to that part of people who voted for other candidates
saying that was their right to vote for someone other than him, adding
that he does not have the right not to be their president either.
"We should not part, should not create division between various
parts of our people, should not disregard each other’s concerns and
pain, and should not go beyond each other’s reach. Even if a wall
of misunderstanding stands between us, I urge you to join us in
eliminating that wall,’ Sargsyan said.
He also expressed his gratitude to President Robert Kocharian,
‘a man who will have a solid place in the Armenian history, as the
decade of his presidency were years of significant achievements for
our country, achievements based on which we have set ambitious targets
for the future."
"President Kocharian has performed an invaluable role in the
establishment, advancement, and protection of the Republic of
Mountainous Karabakh. I am confident that generations will duly
appreciate his service and contribution to the development and
strengthening of our statehood,’ the new president said.
"We shall build the Armenia that brings together all Armenians,
one that will be the fatherland of any Armenian. We shall build the
Armenia where mutual respect, love, and tolerance will prevail.
We shall build the Armenia where our citizens and families will live
and realize their potential in security and dignity. We shall carry
out a proactive foreign policy, and do everything to find a just,
peaceful, and favorable solution to the Artsakh issue.
We shall build a strong, proud, and democratic state of Armenia,
where everyone shall be equal before the law," Sargsyan said.
‘I am confident that you, our fellow Armenians and friends, also hold
the key to the success of all of our initiatives. To accomplish this
historic mission, I once again urge us to unite. Unity will be the
platform for fundamental value creation and progress along the path
of democracy and freedoms.
I shall do all of this, because I wish to be a president who will fully
implement his program, bring peace and stable development to Armenia,
enhance the reputation and image of our country, overcome all of the
major problems we currently face, and be capable of foreseeing and
responding to all of the potential challenges. This is the type of
President I can and shall be," he said.
Serzh Sargsyan said this ceremony takes place about a month after
painful events, which inflicted wounds that are still fresh. "These
wounds caused pain and bitterness to all of us. Today, I urge to
look forward, together to seek and find the path of reconciliation,
that of development for the Armenia of future. I am confident that we
cannot have real and tangible success, unless we learn lessons from
the past. What happened should teach all of us a lesson of vigilance
and sobriety, compelling us to work with greater vigor and devotion,"
he said..
"Our people have given me their vote of confidence, and I must
implement my program during the next five years. Our people have
confided in me to overcome the challenges faced by our country and to
meet everyone’s expectations. Five years is a rather short period to do
all of this, hence it will be a period of everyday hard work. During
this time, we shall manage to do what is possible and beyond, to
address the development challenges faced by our country. That is why
I consider this ceremonial day a working day for me and my political
team.’ he concluded.
The ceremony was attended by 118 parliament members from overall
131 and by delegations from 58 countries and representatives of 12
international organizations.
After the end of the inauguration ceremony Serzh Sargsyan went out
to Freedom Square to hail a military parade and then he and First
Lady. Mrs. Rita Sargsyan departed for presidential residence where
they were welcomed by Robert Kocharian and his wife Bella Kocharian.
After a short conversation Serzh Sargsyan and his spouse said goodbye
to Robert and Bella Kocharians