Greatest achievement at home is the respect for free speech and a vibrant civil society
31.03.2016,
18:54
In the framework of his working visit to the United States, President Serzh Sargsyan on March 30 visited the Kennedy School of the Harvard University where he met with the Armenian students who study in this establishment.
YEREVAN, March 31. /ARKA/. In the framework of his working visit to the United States, President Serzh Sargsyan on March 30 visited the Kennedy School of the Harvard University where he met with the Armenian students who study in this establishment. At the School of Governance, the President of Armenia gave a lecture after which he responded to the questions raised by the audience and spoke about the agenda of the Armenian-American interstate relations, the current stage of the NK peace process, existing problems and challenges, results of his working visit to the United States, Constitutional changes and development of the Electoral Code, future elections to be held in Armenia based on new and reformed legal procedures, economic potential for Armenia’s development, as well as about the Armenia-Diaspora relations.
President Sargsyan met also with the Marshal of the Harvard University Jackie O’Neill. At the conclusion of the meeting, President made an inscription in the Book of Honorary Guests, “Investment into education is probably the most guaranteed investment there is: it is a perpetual, life-long investment. Through its technologically rich labs, research centers, libraries and most importantly through the human potential, the Harvard University has established an exceptionally high bar of a high-quality education. I am glad that Armenian young people have the opportunity to study in this University and to use knowledge acquired here for the benefit of human advancement, empowerment of Armenia, and for the prosperity of the people,” reads the inscription of the President of Armenia.
Speaking to the students President Sargsyan said , perhaps the greatest achievement at home is the respect for free speech and a vibrant civil society. 'The large scale domestic reforms currently underway in Armenia are aimed exactly at building such mechanisms. To that end, we closely cooperate with all of our international partners,' he added.
'We are concluding the first quarter century of Armenia’s independence with a reformed Constitution - the backbone of our statehood. Last year, we amended the Constitution for a second time since independence. I consider them a breakthrough, as the renewed Constitution provides a transition from a semi-presidential to a parliamentary form of government, opening a new chapter for the development of political parties. These amendments lay foundations for a new political system and a new political culture in our country,' the President said.
'What do we aim to achieve? It is very straightforward: we want to have better governance. We have a small country and limited natural resources, but the challenges we face are enormous. Well, there is a disproportionality of resources versus challenges i.e. addressing big problems with little capacities. This is exactly where the good governance makes big difference and this is where the strategic objective of the Constitutional Reform underlies. More democracy and a more targeted fight against corruption. Here we have great potential we need to capitalize on.'
It goes without saying that unfavorable external circumstances - closed borders with Azerbaijan and Turkey, the global economic problems, a complex geopolitical situation in the region, and others create certain limitations. However, we see the solutions to our problems primarily at home. More than anything else, we rely on our own strengths and abilities. We do understand that it is our responsibility to make our country a better place. No one is going to do it for us. Yes, we have allies, partners and friends, and we value our cooperation within various formats: but let me be clear, it is our own duty to materialize the dream of a more prosperous and a more free country. We do understand it,' Sargsyan said.-0-
President Sargsyan met also with the Marshal of the Harvard University Jackie O’Neill. At the conclusion of the meeting, President made an inscription in the Book of Honorary Guests, “Investment into education is probably the most guaranteed investment there is: it is a perpetual, life-long investment. Through its technologically rich labs, research centers, libraries and most importantly through the human potential, the Harvard University has established an exceptionally high bar of a high-quality education. I am glad that Armenian young people have the opportunity to study in this University and to use knowledge acquired here for the benefit of human advancement, empowerment of Armenia, and for the prosperity of the people,” reads the inscription of the President of Armenia.
Speaking to the students President Sargsyan said , perhaps the greatest achievement at home is the respect for free speech and a vibrant civil society. 'The large scale domestic reforms currently underway in Armenia are aimed exactly at building such mechanisms. To that end, we closely cooperate with all of our international partners,' he added.
'We are concluding the first quarter century of Armenia’s independence with a reformed Constitution - the backbone of our statehood. Last year, we amended the Constitution for a second time since independence. I consider them a breakthrough, as the renewed Constitution provides a transition from a semi-presidential to a parliamentary form of government, opening a new chapter for the development of political parties. These amendments lay foundations for a new political system and a new political culture in our country,' the President said.
'What do we aim to achieve? It is very straightforward: we want to have better governance. We have a small country and limited natural resources, but the challenges we face are enormous. Well, there is a disproportionality of resources versus challenges i.e. addressing big problems with little capacities. This is exactly where the good governance makes big difference and this is where the strategic objective of the Constitutional Reform underlies. More democracy and a more targeted fight against corruption. Here we have great potential we need to capitalize on.'
It goes without saying that unfavorable external circumstances - closed borders with Azerbaijan and Turkey, the global economic problems, a complex geopolitical situation in the region, and others create certain limitations. However, we see the solutions to our problems primarily at home. More than anything else, we rely on our own strengths and abilities. We do understand that it is our responsibility to make our country a better place. No one is going to do it for us. Yes, we have allies, partners and friends, and we value our cooperation within various formats: but let me be clear, it is our own duty to materialize the dream of a more prosperous and a more free country. We do understand it,' Sargsyan said.-0-
