President makes speech, outlines priorities for 5 years

Following the swearing-in ceremony, President Serzh Sargsyan made a speech, in which he thanked citizens for their active participation in the election.

“I want to thank those who entrusted me with continuing my duties as the Armenian president. I am also grateful to those who voted for other candidates. They expressed their discontent with the current problems in Armenia and sent a clear message to the authorities: they demand that we work more efficiently. Be sure, all these messages are taken into account,” Serzh Sargsyan said.
In his words, today’s ceremony once again imposed the great responsibility he was constantly aware of in the past five years.
“The second term of office stipulated by the Constitution has both its advantages and difficulties. The main advantage is the accumulated experience which is highly valuable. The additional difficulties are related to higher demands and expectations of the people. I will do everything in order to realize those expectations,” the president stated.

“I consider economic development a priority of our state and people in the next five years. There are a lot of problems here, the emigration, unemployment, and poverty being the main ones. The solutions are also in the same sphere. An efficient, growing economy is the formula for success.

The second priority is ensuring the rule of law. Equality before the law is a compulsory condition for our economic and political development.

The third priority, which is directly linked with the previous one, i.e. the rule of law, is strengthening democracy. Compare Armenia that existed five years ago with today’s Armenia and you will see the difference. Compare the freedom of speech, of the press, and of assembly. Compare the level of establishment of NGOs and civil society. I promise you that we will not stop halfway. In five years we will have a higher level of democracy. And I will not do it alone, we will do it together, dear compatriots,” Serzh Sargsyan said.