You Preserve the Best Piece of Our Country: Armen Sarkissian to Chinarians

The working visit of the President of the Republic of Armenia, Armen Sarkissian, began in the border village of Chinari in the Tavush Province. According to the public relations department of the President's Office, the president met and talked with the residents who came to greet him.

While watching the dance performance of Chinari children, the president invited them to the presidential residence for New Year's celebrations. President Sarkissian mentioned that he first visited Chinari during his student years and was particularly impressed by the nature and hospitality of the residents.

“I want to thank you for being here, for being strong and connected to the land,” the president said, addressing the villagers. “I want to bow my head first and foremost in remembrance of those Chinarians who gave their lives for the defense of the homeland. Every day we think of you, of the people who are at the border, living under difficult conditions, protecting not only their families but also planning for their children, these brilliant children who have dreams. I want to assure you that you are not forgotten.

It was very pleasant to see today those Chinarians among you who have gone to Ukraine and Russia and have returned. One day, everyone will come back. You can take your homeland with you, but over the years, that love and pain begin to grow, filling your whole body and soul, and you want to come back. To those Chinarians who are abroad, I say: come back. You have a duty to share your success with your compatriots. We, in Armenia—both as an institution of the presidency and as the government or the National Assembly—have a duty to you, because you are preserving the best piece of our country: Chinari.”