10:01,
YEREVAN, APRIL 29, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan issued a message on the occasion of the Citizen’s Day. As ARMENPRESS was informed from the Office of the Prime Minister, the message reads as follows,
“Dear people, proud citizens of the Republic of Armenia,
Today we celebrate Citizen's Day, and what does it mean? We emphasize the democratic nature of the Republic of Armenia, where the people, the collectiveness of citizens, are the only source and bearer of power.
Since the Popular, non-violent, velvet revolution of 2018, no election at any level have been rigged in the Republic of Armenia and the Citizen had the opportunity to make decisions: to elect the Council of Elders, the heads of the communities, the National Assembly and the Prime Minister by free will. The free _expression_ of the voters has become the only formula for the formation of the Government.
This was one of the primary and key goals of the 2018 Revolution, which has been fully realized. There are no political prisoners in the Republic of Armenia, there is no idea or information that cannot be conveyed to the public through television or mass media, social networks, political, public and economic activities are completely free.
Our opponents say that it would be better not have democracy, and not have the disastrous failures we had, particularly in the 44-day war and after, either.
But at least today I will have the courage to say: those disasters came as a result of many years of not having democracy, legality, free civil debate, because of the taboos, stereotypes and "truths" that were created under favorable headlines, but not for the sake of statehood. We failed to overcome these taboos and stereotypes in a timely manner and that was perhaps our greatest failure.
With the use of these taboos, an attempt is still being made today to prevent the development of political, civic and political thought, but our responsibility towards the future will compel us to say: the motherland is the state, which must be concrete, love for the motherland is the legality, citizenship is the identity, the guarantor of security is peace and the Future must be built on these pillars.
And is the citizen of the Republic of Armenia proud?
He or she should and must be proud, because facing epoch-making challenges in this way, developing the country and the economy, not betraying the essence and values of democracy, is the real source of pride.
And hence,
Long Live Freedom
Long live the Republic of Armenia
Long live our children who will live in Free and Happy Armenia.
I love you all, I am proud of you all and I bow to you all”.