Armenpress News Agency , Armenia
Friday
During independence years our media landscape passed through
revolutionary transformations – President Sargsyan receives media
representatives
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 22, ARMENPRESS. On the occasion of the New Year and
Christmas Christmas holidays, a gala reception was held at the
Presidential Palace for media representatives on December 22.
As ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the Armenian
President’s Office, Serzh Sargsyan congratulated on the upcoming
holidays and addressed warm wishes to the media representatives, their
families, colleagues and relatives. In his congratulatory speech
President Sargsyan referred to the key political, economic and
cultural events of the passing year and their covering by the mass
media. The President of the Republic also talked about the role of the
“4th power” under the light of the parliamentary republic with an
improved Constitution, presented his expectations from mass media
during the illustration of a number of upcoming key events of
republican importance.
The speech of the President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan during the
reception for mass media representatives on the occasion of New Year
and Christmas
Dear friends,
I am glad to greet all of you at Baghramyan 26 at this festive
reception that has already become a tradition. I heartily congratulate
you on the coming New Year and Christmas holidays.
During independence years our media landscape passed through
revolutionary transformations. During the last 2.5 decades we were
able to shape a dynamic society, public institutions and a unique free
journalism. I have no doubts that on the path of establishing a mature
and full democratic system an independent and unbending journalist
should be the all-seeing eye of our public.
The passing year was full of important domestic and external
political, economic and cultural events, that were in you focus. You
covered them from all the aspects and reached the necessary
information to the attention of the public, political parties and the
authorities.
The key republican event of 2017 was the parliamentary elections of
April 2. Now, with a retrospective look, we can confidently document
that the elections were held in a constructive and harmonious
atmosphere. Both our public and the specialized international observer
organizations gave a positive assessment to the elections, by which we
outlined our political path for the next 5 years in a fair struggle.
The contribution of the media landscape of Armenia was also
significant for achieving that result. It was recognized by the
international observer organizations and I am thankful to you for your
job.
Of course, there were also difficulties and misunderstandings. There
is no electoral process in the world that passes entirely
imperturbably, as during the competition passions sometimes give
place, strain the nerves. Undoubtedly, defeat is the most difficult
thing and not everyone can live with that.
Dear journalists,
I am deeply convinced that there are no insurmountable problems. I
highlight the readiness of all the sides and players to openly discuss
existing problems and to find a solution to them. It’s a unique
examination of being mature, and I am sure our public passes that exam
with honor. I am convinced that your power in the parliamentary
republic with the improved Constitution will have a much larger role
in our lives and you are ready to assume that.
During the passing year you actively covered the works of the
Armenia-Diaspora Sixth Pan-Armenian Forum, making the virtual
participation of 10 million Armenians in that forum possible.
Discussing the role and importance of the mass media one should always
remember that 7 million Armenians live out of the borders of Armenia.
I call on you to activate your links with the news outlets operating
in the Diaspora communities during the coming years. We expect more
active involvement by you in the implementation of my vision of having
Armenia with 4 million population and other future programs.
I would also like you to draw more attention on and give deeper
evaluation to topics like Armenia’s participation in integration
processes, the works of local self-government bodies, community
enlargement process or the economic activation. This is not the full
list and I will really be happy if you enrich it with topics I missed.
Dear friends,
We say good bye to 2017 year. I once again congratulate you, all your
colleagues, relatives and friends. I want you to fully relax during
the New Year and Christmas holidays, making your friends and relatives
enjoy those moments. I want success, happiness and peace to accompany
you and your families in the coming 2018 year. The more we are honest
with ourselves, believe me, the higher will be the coefficientof
theuseful actionof our work.
I am thankful”.
