PM Pashinyan introduces newly appointed Defense Minister Suren Papikyan to top military officials
YEREVAN, November 15, /ARKA/. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan introduced today the newly appointed Minister of Defense Suren Papikyan to the Defense Ministry personnel and the top military officials of the Armed Forces, the government press office said.
It said Pashinyan thanked former Minister Arshak Karapetyan for his work in the Ministry of Defense and referred to the decision to appoint Suren Papikyan as Minister of Defense.
"In fact, I have made an important political decision. When we met with Mr. Karapetyan this morning, he expressed an idea with which I cannot disagree, and which I cannot but voice. He rightly noted that the status of the Minister of Defense is perhaps the most vulnerable status in the Republic of Armenia or one of the most vulnerable. I would like to thank Mr. Karapetyan for his responsibility and courage in assuming that vulnerable status. At the same time, I would like to thank Mr. Papikyan for accepting my decision, in fact, replacing the less vulnerable status of the Deputy Prime Minister with the very vulnerable status of the Defense Minister.
Pashinyan told the military top brass that the country is facing serious strategic challenges, and that no one simply has no right not to manage those challenges in line with the interests of the Republic of Armenia, Artsakh and the Armenian people.
‘You know, there can be many assessments, those assessments can be emotional, less emotional, but we must know for sure that the Government of the Republic of Armenia, the leadership of the country clearly understand what steps are needed to successfully bring the country out of the crossroads of these strategic challenges, to pave the way for sustainable development, and we will pursue that way,’ he said.
The newly appointed Minister Suren Papikyan said, “Honorable Prime Minister, Generals, officers, dear colleagues, It is a great honor for me to assume this position in this responsible and difficult period. Thank you, Mr. Prime Minister, for entrusting me with this responsible position. I am ready to serve the Republic of Armenia day and night. " -0-
