Photos: 'We will not give this victory or this homeland to anyone', says Nikol Pashinyan

The Prime Minister of the Republic, Nikol Pashinyan, attended the festive event dedicated to the 27th anniversary of the formation of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia.

Nikol Pashinyan delivered a congratulatory message on the occasion of Army Day, stating in particular: "Esteemed President of the Republic of Armenia, distinguished President of the Artsakh Republic, respected President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia, esteemed members of the Government, respected Minister of Defense of the Republic of Armenia, Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, state dignitaries, spiritual leaders, honored guests, the ancient riddle of India asks: What is it that you do not notice until it is gone? The answer is straightforward: health. The essence of this saying is that you must preserve your health, because once it departs, you cannot bring it back. I hope you did not think that I mixed up the documents and am reading the text dedicated to the Day of Health Workers.

What, then, is the connection between this saying and the 27th anniversary of the Army of Armenia? The connection is that security is like health; as long as it exists, it is sometimes taken for granted and presumed to be self-evident. And today, on this solemn day of the army's anniversary, I believe it is worth reiterating that the security we have is not a fallen apple from the sky, but a reality that has been achieved through the lives, health, and sometimes the well-being and futures of our countless freedom fighters, officers who interrupted their careers in the Soviet army to dedicate themselves to the defense of the Armenian homeland, and the first soldiers and officers of our newly independent state.

If health gives us our essence, in this case, our armed forces are those who ensure our security, particularly our external security, and our army.

What does the Armenian army mean? It means that soldiers and officers, both conscripted and contracted, spend at least half the year away from their families and loved ones, enduring sleepless nights in combat positions, ready to take the hit and deliver a crushing counterstrike—no matter the risk, including the threat to their own lives and health.

What is the Armenian army? It consists of combat positions high in snow-covered mountains that are cut off from the rear for months, while on the other side are flatland combat positions where temperatures may exceed 50 degrees. Soldiers and officers who never look back, that is, toward the rear, but always look forward.

What is the Armenian army? It is an immense effort in command, staffing, logistics, reconnaissance, and supply that cannot cease for a moment, just as breathing cannot cease—whether you are asleep or awake. Our armed forces, our National Army, is indeed the breath of our nation, which does not stop for a second—regardless of whether our country is asleep or awake—and very often, we do not notice the presence of our army in our daily lives, in every village, every city, and every home, as we do not notice our own breathing.

Today marks the 27th anniversary of the glorious Armenian army, and we have gathered here first and foremost to pay our respects to all our martyrs, all our freedom fighters, officers, and soldiers, on whose sacrifices our state and independence, our army, and our security are built. We are here to express our gratitude to all our soldiers, officers, and generals who have served and continue to serve the Armenian army with honor. We have gathered to raise our voices in respect to all those parents and women who bear the restless pride of having a military child or husband.

We are here today to reaffirm our pledge before our ancestors, our heroes and martyrs, our legendary commanders, and soldiers: we will not give this homeland to anyone, we will not surrender this victory to anyone. And so, long live the Republic of Armenia, long live the Republic of Artsakh, glory to the victorious Armenian army. Happy 27th anniversary of the Armenian army. Thank you!"