YEREVAN (Noyan Tapan)–On June 16–President Robert Kocharian introduced the newly appointed Minister of National Security Serge Sargssian to the Ministry staff.
The president described Serge Sargssian–who has been in all high offices related to the military and police domain–as a minister of vast experience and great potential–well aware of the problems in the sphere in his charge.
The same day–President Robert Kocharian and Prime Minister Vazgen Sargssian introduced the newly appointed Minister of the Interior Suren Abrahamian to the Ministry staff.
Kocharian emphasized that Suren Abrahamian had great experience in working within the system of the Interior Ministry to which most of his activities were related. He described as important the fact that Abrahamian worked outside the system for several years–which allowed him to look at things from a different angle.
Observing some progress in the work of the Ministry of the Interior–Kocharian expressed confidence that the new minister–dealing with a smaller structure–will apply his many years of experience to concentrate exclusively on the Ministry’s tasks.
The former Minister of the Interior and National Security Serge Sargssian gave assurances that a solid staff of professionals has been formed in the Ministry of the Interior capable of serving its basic function–to combat crime.
Suren Abrahamian thanked the president for trusting him and expressed confidence that the problems facing the Ministry will be solved through combined efforts.
President Kocharian urged the interior officials to get rid of doubts and anxiety caused by the recent decision to divide the ministry and structural changes. "This is our common cause and all of us have got down to work," he said.
The president and the prime minister also introduced the newly appointed Minister of Defense Vagharshak Haroutiunian to the Ministry staff.
Praising Vazgen Sargssian’s activities in creating the army–Kocharian said that an even greater responsibility has been put in his hands today.
According to Robert Kocharian–the army has acquired a personified character during Sargssian’s involvement in army affairs.
The appointment of the new minister–in the president’s opinion–will show whether there really is a viable army that can work irrespective of the change of ministers.
"This is a serious examination for the army to pass. If the army continues to remain a stable structure with high combat efficiency–it will mean that we’ve succeeded in creating what we wanted to create," he said.
Introducing Minister Vagharshak Haroutiunian to the Ministry staff–Robert Kocharian said that the path he’s traveled gives hope for good work.
According to Prime Minister Vazgen Sargssian–the Ministry of Defense is a full-fledged structure and one of the most smoothly operating mechanisms in the republic. In Kocharian’s opinion–the army has come to a point where the commander can be a regular officer.
