By the decree of President Serzh Sargsyan, the prominent state, political and public figure Vladimir Movsissian was awarded the Order of Honor for his years-long and outstanding state and public service as well as for his significant contribution to Armenia’s economic development.

Today, at the Presidential Palace there took place the award ceremony which was attended by V. Movsissian’s family members, partners, party friends, and high state officials. At the outset, Serzh Sargsyan congratulated the prominent statesman on his 80th birth anniversary, wished him good health, long life, well-being and many happy days to his family. In his remarks, President Sargsyan spoke about a life and work dedicated to Motherland. “One can speak about Vladimir Movsissian’s life at length. One can list all positions he has held and success Armenia achieved in the same periods of time. However in my view, in brief Vladimir Movsissian can be called a “person who represents an entire epoch.” I am convinced that Vladimir Movsissian is one of those individuals who represent and signify the era of important achievements in the history of the Armenian people,” President Serzh Sargsyan said. Serzh Sargsyan stressed the importance of the impressive legacy created by Vladimir Movsissian and his multiple colleagues in Soviet Armenia and underscored that without that substantial legacy, its the economic, scientific, spiritual and cultural base it would have been impossible to build independent Armenia. The President noted that Vladimir Movsissian through his untiring work was one of those who had created those traditions. “Under any circumstance, you were striving to make your input in building a strong and self-sufficient Armenia. Only powerful Armenia can compel others to reckon with her, only powerful Armenia will be reckoned with by her distant and close, friendly and not friendly neighbors. With this somber realization, in the twenty-two years of Armenia’s independence you have been contributing your experience, knowledge and organizational talent and continue to contribute now and serve our nation and our people. I take this opportunity to thank you for the huge work carried out by you in the Commission on Sevan Lake issues,” President Serzh Sargsyan said and wished that the outstanding statesman continues his patriotic work since his country and his people need him.

In his thank-you remarks Vladimir Movsissian said that it was a great honor for him to receive from the President of Armenia the Order of Honor in the presence of his family, friends, colleagues and comrades-in-arms. “As the poet said, every now and then, I converse with my conscience, looking back from a distance of 80 years, I think about the road I traveled, assess tasks fulfilled and unfulfilled, take a sober view of them, and make my conclusions. Things I have done have been done with your assistance, assistance of our people, of my colleagues, of every state structure, with the assistance of my comrades-in-arms” the recipient of the high award noted in his remarks. He said he was extremely pleased to hear the President’s assessment regarding the impressive legacy created in Soviet Armenia which became a basis for independent Armenia’s development: it speaks about a strong bond between the two societies. According to V. Movsissian, it will become a great impetus for Armenia’s further development.

Vladimir Movsissian spoke briefly about his life and work, about his achievements and accomplishments and underscored that he has always been very lenient about that. “When I succeeded in something, I never got excited too soon about it. When I failed in something, I never got disheartened too soon, but was waiting stubbornly for the time to come when I could again and again serve my country and my people,” the statesman said in his remarks and assured the President of Armenia and those present at the award ceremony that he was in a good shape, ready to continue to serve our people and state which faces numerous challenges and which can be conquered only through the united efforts. He expressed readiness together with his colleagues and friends from the older generation to continue to bring his knowledge and services to the strengthening of our statehood and prosperity for our people.

“I held it out: I was tormented by grief, I was happy with success – I have seen it all. And I thank you all for not leaving me one on one with my inner world; you have been by my side and always supported me, I have managed to hold it out. We all have to hold it out. Today, I continue my work with clear conscience and clean hands,” Vladimir Movsissian said, expressing also gratitude to the members of his family who throughout his entire work did everything to make him work unreservedly.