President: Armenia’s future depends on joint efforts of authorities and media

YEREVAN, December 25. /ARKA/. The authorities and the media are allies – they together fulfill a mission which shapes not only the present, but also the future of Armenia, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan said at a traditional reception of journalists ahead of Christmas and New Year holidays.  

Congratulating representatives of media outlets, he thanked them for the considerable job they have done over the entire year, especially during the parliamentary elections.   

“We continued our joint efforts to strengthen freedom of speech and democracy in the country,” he said. 

The president said no elections with such free and available information had been ever seen in Armenia before.  

“I also noticed that many journalists are able to put aside their own positions while covering political processes, and this is a genuine professionalism, and this is visible indeed,” he said. 

Sargsyan said that joint achievements were considerable in this year’s elections, and it is necessary to make every effort to retain them. 

“We should continue moving forward,” he said adding that there are still plenty to do, “but there are the two most important factors for reaching our goal – public demand and the authorities’ political will. 

The head of state said that the next year will be crucial for Armenian society. 

“Our achievements in covering this year’s elections should be considered as a lowest benchmark – we should do more, I mean not only elections,” he said. “We together are building a modern state and society, and the role of the media is very important here. More that that – responsibility of all those communicating with people every day is very high. I urge them not to devaluate this word and not to forget about our serious goals and objectives.”

Sargsyan wished media representatives health and happiness in the next year. -0-