Armenian president presents new defence minister to the armed forces general staff

The President of Armenia, Serzh Sargsyan, on Monday (3 October) visited the Ministry of Defence building in Yerevan and presented to the officers of the Armed Forces General Staff the new Minister of Defence and the new Chief of Staff. Earlier in the day the President appointed Vigen Sargsyan as Minister of Defence and Movses Hakboyan as Chief of Staff.

Vigen Sargsyan is the first Defence Minister of Armenia who does not have direct experience of fighting in the Karabakh war of the 1990s The President felt it necessary to explain to the officers that the defence minister had to take responsibility for what he termed "military diplomacy", and was also responsible for large defence procurement. The fact that the President felt the need to do this may indicate that some officers did not like the idea of a civilian heading the Ministry of Defence, which in Armenia is the most important Ministry in the government.

Following the short war with Azerbaijan in April the leadership of the Armenian miliatry, as well as the country's political leadership. came under criticism from public opinion, and some commentators accused the military of under-performing.

source: commonspace.eu

photo: President Sargsyan of Armenia presenting the new Minister of Defence and Chief of Staff to the Armed Forces General Staff at a meeting in Yerevan on 3 October 2016 (picture courtesy of the press Office of the president of Armenia

 

Related articles

Editor's choice
News
Borrell tells the European Parliament that the situation in Afghanistan was critical, but the EU will remain engaged

Borrell tells the European Parliament that the situation in Afghanistan was critical, but the EU will remain engaged

Borrell underlined that the European Union will make every effort to support the peace process and to remain a committed partner to the Afghan people. "Of course, we will have to take into account the evolving situation, but disengagement is not an option.  We are clear on that: there is no alternative to a negotiated political settlement, through inclusive peace talks.
Editor's choice
News
Gaza hospital struck twice by Israel killing journalists and rescuers

Gaza hospital struck twice by Israel killing journalists and rescuers

Israel struck one of the main hospitals in the Gaza strip on Monday 25 August and then hit the facility again as journalists and rescue workers rushed to the scene, killing at least 20 people and wounding many more, local health workers said. It was among the deadliest of multiple Israeli strikes that have hit both hospitals and journalists over the course of the 22-month war, Associated Press reported. The assault came as Israel plans to widen its offensive to heavily populated areas, vowing to destroy Hamas after its 7th October attack in 2023.

Popular

Editor's choice
News
Gaza hospital struck twice by Israel killing journalists and rescuers

Gaza hospital struck twice by Israel killing journalists and rescuers

Israel struck one of the main hospitals in the Gaza strip on Monday 25 August and then hit the facility again as journalists and rescue workers rushed to the scene, killing at least 20 people and wounding many more, local health workers said. It was among the deadliest of multiple Israeli strikes that have hit both hospitals and journalists over the course of the 22-month war, Associated Press reported. The assault came as Israel plans to widen its offensive to heavily populated areas, vowing to destroy Hamas after its 7th October attack in 2023.