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On April 9 the special sitting of the National Assembly convened on the occasion of assuming the office of the RA newly elected President Serzh Sargsyan was held in Karen Demirchyan Sports and Concert Complex.

Opening the sitting the RA National Assembly President Hovik Abrahamyan noted: “Dear President of the Republic of Armenia, Your Holiness, Distinguished President of Nagorno Karabakh, dear Deputies, dear guests, ladies and gentlemen, on the occasion of the swearing in solemn ceremony of the President of the Republic of Armenia, under the RA Constitution, the special sitting of the National Assembly was convened. 92 Deputies have been registered. We have got a quorum, now let us get started.

The Elections of the President of the Republic of Armenia were held on February 18, 2013. Under the February 25 decision N 61-A of the Central Electoral Commission of the Republic of Armenia, according to the results of the Elections of the Republic of Armenia, Serzh Sargsyan is reelected President of the Republic of Armenia.

I declare open the Special sitting of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia convened for taking the Oath of Office as the President of the Republic of Armenia.”

Under the sounds of the military march, the state flag of the Republic of Armenia and the symbol of the presidential power, then also the original of the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia and the Gospel of the 7^th century are brought in.

The President of the National Assembly invites the RA reelected President Serzh Sargsyan to take the Oath of Office of the RA President. “Assuming the office of President of the Republic of Armenia, I swear to unreservedly fulfill requirements of the Constitution to respect human and civil rights and freedoms, to safeguard independence of the Republic, its territorial integrity and security for the glory of the Republic of Armenia and for the benefit of the people of the Republic of Armenia,” Serzh Sargsyan took an oath with his hand on the RA Constitution and on the Vehamayr Gospel (7^th century).

The Anthem of the Republic of Armenia starts, after which His Holiness Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II offered blessings:

Your Excellency, Mr. President,
Your Excellency, Mr. President of the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh,
Honored President of the National Assembly,
Your Eminences and Your Graces,
Honored State Officials, Representatives of Diplomatic Missions,
Dear Guests and Attendees,

With prayer and appeals for the radiant life of the homeland on our lips, we greet and extend our Pontifical blessings to you on the occasion of the Inauguration of the President of the Republic of Armenia.

We offer praise and thanksgiving to the Almighty for the unfathomable graces granted to our people, with which we have lived, created and struggled; and today, steadfast and optimistic, create the new day of our free life with the love of the homeland.

Since the reestablishment of independent statehood, our country has overcome terrible difficulties; it has traversed the demanding path of rebuilding and reformation.At this time, we remember with appreciation and prayer, all sons and daughters of the nation who have brought their devoted service to the foundation and establishment of native independent statehood.Mr. President, You have made significant contributions to the course of building the state, as one of the framers of this hopeful era of our history. Your dedicated service to the homeland and people has led you to the public office of highest responsibility. You assumed the office of president five years ago under difficult circumstances of internal tension in the country. Nevertheless, with a determined will and steadfast steps, you implemented all efforts to maintain stability; so that reforms and the natural course of progress of our homeland continue.The period of your presidency was a struggle and service to face difficulties and challenges, the peaceful and just resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh dispute, and in the sphere of foreign policy, the reinforcement of relations and effective collaboration with other nations.

Today, by taking the oath of office on the “Vehamayr” Gospel (7^th century) and the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia, you renewed your oath of service to the nation and the homeland.A new presidential term begins, with certain new demands and expectations.Despite positive trends and beneficial results in our country in previous years, there remain many concerns and issues that are of vital significance and yearn for decisions, which today once again require the conscientious efforts of our authorities and all our people, to protect our peaceful and secure life, and the hope and outlook for progress.It is our common vision that the path of our independent state bears the fruits of a blossoming and cheerful life, full of goodness and well-being, with a developing economy, science and culture. With the high mission of the presidency, you are called to lead this vision to its realization.It is undeniable that the wellbeing of a people, the preeminence of law and rights, the progress of a societal life with spiritual and moral values will bring greater resilience to our country, increase the standing of our state’s reputation, and further reinforce our national life.As always, our Church will bring its support to the native state and to you in the work to fulfill your homeland-building and nation-devoted mission.

On this occasion of the inauguration, we extend our exhortation to our people in the homeland and the Diaspora, to implement unified efforts with the authorities of our country, for the sake of our homeland, the vibrancy of our national life and the manifestation of our hopes.Let us aspire with one will and one mind to greater carry out that which is our cherished debt and responsibility for our nation and native land. Let us not falter before difficulties. According to the words of the Apostle, “… stir up one another to love and good works” (Hebrews 10:24), so that our homeland will grow and prosper day by day, remaining the strong rampart and source of strength for Armenians dispersed throughout the world, today and always.

We offer prayers up to God in heaven with an appeal to keep our homeland unshaken and for the peaceful and joyful life of our people. We pray for you, Mr. President. May the blessing of the Most High and the guidance of the Holy Spirit be with you always, reinforce you, keep you steadfast and determined to bring to life your and our people’s benevolent expectations and hopes. May the Lord bless our nation in dispersion, always keep them under His graces, to appeal with faith, “O Lord our God, lead us and instruct us to walk with righteousness on Your paths, keep our life in peace and our course pleasing to You. Amen.” (Armenian Book of Hours – Breviary).

The Catholicos of All Armenians ended his word with Lord’s Prayer.

Then the RA President Serzh Sargsyan delivered a speech. The Head of the country noted:

“Your Holiness,
Distinguished President Kocharian,
Distinguished President of the Republic of Artsakh,
Distinguished President Ghoukassian,
Dear Citizens of the Republic of Armenia,
Dear compatriots,
Distinguished guests, friends,

I express my thanks to our citizens for their active turnout at the presidential elections. I thank those who once again entrusted me with the task of serving as President of the Republic of Armenia.

I also thank those who cast their votes for other candidates. Thereby they expressed their discontent with the problems existing in the country. By doing so, they sent a clear message to the authorities, demanding more efficient work. Rest assured that all messages are duly received.

Dear compatriots,

Today, through taking this Oath, I once again assumed great responsibility, the awareness of which has never left me for one second through the past five years. The Gospel that belonged to Catholicos Mother, on which I took my oath, is over a thousand years old. It is an exceptional honor to become the leader of a nation with such historical and cultural roots. At this solemn moment I pledge to hold high this honor.

For any President, a second term stipulated by the Constitution has its advantages but also difficulties. The greatest advantage is, certainly, the experience gained, which is of immense value in this line of work. The extra difficulties relate to increased expectations of the people and higher demands. I will do my best to deliver on these expectations and meet these demands.

For the forthcoming five years, I consider economic development of our state and nation the number one priority. A whole array of problems that Armenia is facing is in this very plane. Let me highlight three main ones: emigration, unemployment, and poverty. The solutions for these problems are to be found on the same field. Efficient economy that is on the rise, this is the formula to our success.

The second priority is in ensuring the rule of law. Equality of everyone before the law is a binding prerequisite both for our economic and political advancement.

The third priority, most directly linked to the one before, the rule of law, is the deepening of democracy. Compare Armenia of five years ago with Armenia of today and you will see the difference. Compare the levels of the freedom of speech, press, and association. Compare the past and present levels of maturity of NGOs and the civil society in general. I promise that we will not be contented with the achievements. Five years from now, we will attain a qualitatively different, far more advanced democracy. I shall not accomplish this alone, we will do it together, dear compatriots.

In the area of foreign policy, a peaceful settlement to the Nagorno Karabakh issue is and will remain our priority for as long as necessary to arrive at a final solution. At the same time, we will consistently work to enhance the level of our security. We do not underestimate any international dimension here; we are grateful to all those who contribute to maintaining regional stability, but we must rely on our own power, first and foremost. In the event of possible adverse developments, the importance of deterring the adversary and preserving peace are beyond discussion.

We have never terrorized our own people with war. Moreover, we have never used this issue as an excuse to gag the opposition. However, we deemed it our duty to earnestly and realistically state that such a threat does exist.

Irresponsible people and those who have never experienced war may turn the possibility of war into a subject for cynical and sordid profiteering. I am not one of them: I know what it takes to lose a friend or experience the bliss of victory. I fretted over every soldier’s life, every inch of the native land. Therefore, through the vote of confidence vested in me by the people of Armenia, I declare: We do not want war but, at the same time, we are ready to withstand any challenge. I reiterate this for slow learners: any challenge.

Dear compatriots,

Coercion, violence, terror, war; these are our opponent’s notions of reality. They are trying to impose upon us the same notions they force on their own people.

We have rejected these terms, and will never accept them. We are creating a different reality, like I said: economic growth, the rule of law, strengthening of democracy. The word “Armenia” must first of all entail these notions. These are the arguments we present to our adversaries and the entire world.

We offered our neighbours dignified peace, anchored to universal human values. But the experience of recent years has demonstrated that they are not ready to accept the offer. The tougher, in their own opinion, conditions they create for us, the stronger we become. And this will be becoming increasingly more salient.

Today, the more unequal the terms for our exports, the more effort we must invest in producing goods with enhanced added value. We shall invest in products and services that are competitive in the global market.

Our main advantage is in the entrepreneurial spirit and the talent of our nation. Our young men and women, working in the area of modern technologies, maintain the security of our country, like our soldiers do. Anyone, who works honestly and produces value, does the same.

Our main task is to increase opportunities for such people to express themselves. Let us provide these people the opportunity and they will do the rest, they will generate, create, and develop.

To this very end we also have to ensure dynamic development of Armenia-Diaspora cooperation. I am confident that together we can accomplish much more. We have to maximally engage the potential of the Diaspora, its human potential first and foremost. Every competitive and development-oriented investment project will receive support by the authorities of the Republic of Armenia.

Dear compatriots,

Through the electoral campaign we all enjoyed ample opportunities for exposure and introducing our programs. At the same time, each of us was eager to get our ideas down fully and succinctly. Elections do not mark a destination; they signify a new phase. This is the phase for unrelenting and persistent work. The time has come to move from words to work, to reinforce words with work.

Therefore, back to work!
Long live the Republic of Armenia!
Glory to the Armenian Nation!”

The RA National Assembly President Hovik Abrahamyan noted in his speech.

“Your Excellency, Mr President, in the name of the National Assembly and personally me I congratulate you on the occasion of reelection in the high office of the President of the Republic of Armenia and I wish that your tenure be rich with historical results. You ended your pre-election campaign with the following words: ‘Roots of Armenia get firmer due to the perception that here, in our country, we are more powerful among the most powerful, if we are together, supporting each other.’ Every citizen of Armenia, all Armenian sons, parliamentary and extra-parliamentary political forces, civil society, all of us are steadily united over one issue: the reinforcement of powerful, progressing and unlimitedly beloved Motherland.

Mr President,

Recognizing you and being well aware of the path you passed, I am more than confident that under your leadership and guidance the coming years will become years of consolidation, reinforcement of united spirit and consistent work. I wish you and everybody success. Let God protect you.”

The State Flag of the Republic of Armenia and the Symbol of the presidential power, then also the original of the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia and the Vehamayr Gospel (7^th century) are taken out of the hall.

The special sitting of the RA National Assembly ended its work.