Kocharyan marks Army Day, criticizes Armenian leadership

Former Armenian President Robert Kocharyan on Wednesday congratulated the country on Army Day, while accusing the political leadership of undermining the armed forces.

Kocharyan said in a statement that in recent years “everything has been done to weaken, fragment and break the region’s most combat-ready army”.

“The political leadership’s habit of blaming its own mistakes on the army has had serious consequences,” he said.

He added that a strong military is the main guarantor of lasting peace. “I am confident we can quickly restore the army’s strength and spirit to ensure durable peace,” Kocharyan said.

The former president praised soldiers who “wear the uniform with dignity” and paid tribute to those killed defending the country.