FORMATION OF THE ARMY ONE OF THE GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT OF INDEPENDENT ARMENIA
Karen Ghazaryan

"Radiolur"
28.01.2009 16:01

Today Armenia celebrates the 17th anniversary of formation of the
Armenian Army. January 28 is also the day of commemoration of those
killed in the Artsakhi war. Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan,
members of government and other senior officials visited Yerablur
Pantheon today to pay tribute to the memory of the killed soldiers.

The Armenian Army that was born 17 years ago together with Armenia’s
independence was one of the greatest achievements of our independence.

During the first years the Armenian nation overcame the challenge of
the imposed war thanks to the devotion of voluntary brigades.

17 years ago it could seem impossible that those voluntary brigades
could grow into the best, the most efficient army in the region. Today
it is an irrefutable fact achieved at the cost of lives of thousands
of devoted Armenian sons of the Armenian nation.

"We feel great pride. I think that the Army Day is one of the important
values the Armenian people have achieved during its contemporary
history," Seyran Ohanyan, the Minister of Defense of the republic of
Armenia, told reporters, noting that 17 years ago the army was formed
and fulfilled its task with dignity thanks to the joint efforts of
the people.

"Everyone has made his contribution to the strengthening of to day’s
army," the Minister said.

After the victorious end of the Artsakhi War the National Army has
passed a long way of development. DM Seyran Ohanyan said implementation
of reforms wad one of the most important tasks posed to the army over
the past few years. "That is to say that we have reached a political,
qualitative, as well as structural and security level, when we need
certain reforms to ensure our further development and have our army
correspond to contemporary standards. This is the requirement deriving
from the analysis of the security environment and the assessment of
challenges," the Defense Minister stressed.