Accompanied by Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces Artak Davtyan, Acting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan visited Army Unit N in Gegharkunik Marz. On the occasion of the May 9 holiday, Nikol Pashinyan presented high state awards to a number of servicemen of the military units of the 2nd Army Corps for services rendered to Motherland: First-Degree Order of Battle Cross, Second-Degree Order of Battle Cross and St. Vardan Mamikonian Order.

Addressing those present, Nikol Pashinyan said:
“Generals and officers,
Warrant officers, sergeants, privates,

Today, we are holding an award ceremony in the 2nd Army Corps on the occasion of the Triple holiday of May 9th. It is no coincidence that the award ceremony is being held here, since the 2nd Army Corps was crowned with glory and stood out for its high combat capability during the 44-day war. The 2nd Army Corps retained the high honor of all of us, our army, our people and our history.

Many of our brothers fell, were wounded, many of them heroically stood up to defend the Motherland not only in the 2nd Army Corps, but also in the Armenian Army, in general. But today we celebrate the triple holiday with a feeling of bitterness and regret; there is the bitterness of defeat in our hearts, but God knows, during this time we spared nothing, absolutely nothing to defend the cause and glory of the heroes and martyrs of the liberation of Shushi.

And today we must stand just as steadfastly to protect the dream of our ancestors and generations, our Motherland, because the Republic of Armenia exists and will be standing ahead; while wounded, the Republic of Artsakh is standing and the Armenian people are standing. The Armenian nation continues and must continue its thousand-year march. The Armenian statehood, the Armenian army is the strongest pledge of our millennial march.

Yes, we must analyze and understand what we did wrong, where we made a mistake, where we did not show sufficient adherence to principles, but God is the witness that the Armenian army fought to the last as long as fighting had some perspective. However, it is also important that we did not lose our minds in that battle. It is important that we were able to make difficult decisions, including for the sake of our army, our generals, officers, soldiers, their families and children.

I would like to once again express my condolences to the families and friends of all our soldiers and officers who perished in the 44-day war. We bow to you, our duty to our martyrs is to build a strong, just, legal, proud and happy country. And we have no right to let the blood of our martyrs be shed in vain.

Our Motherland, its well-being, its development, its pride should become our greatest tribute to our martyrs. The Armenian heroic army stands at the forefront of our pride. I can say this with particular confidence in the 2nd Army Corps and in many military units and formations. We can say this with confidence.

The 2nd Army Corps has been awarded the First Degree Order of Battle Cross, an adequate tribute to the Army, all our military units, officers, privates, who are standing in their positions; this is our tribute to our martyrs. We thereby say: “Your cause has endured, our army has endured, our homeland has endured, and the future of your children, relatives and generations is alive.”

Glory to the Armenian Army!
Glory to the Armenian people,
Glory to the Republic of Armenia,
Glory to the Republic of Artsakh,
Long live the Armenian people!

Bowing to our martyrs, I congratulate all of us on the Victory in the Great Patriotic War!

Congratulations on the Triple Holiday! Congratulations to all of us on the future we must build together! And let no one doubt it.”

Nikol Pashinyan held a consultation with the 2nd Army Corps command to discuss the ongoing army reform. In conclusion, he answered their questions.