Today, I want to address our boys who took part in the 44-day war and defended our homeland.
As you know, now that the weather has improved, the pilgrimages to the construction site of the statue of Christ have resumed. Thousands of citizens have already lined up to take part, and tens of thousands of our compatriots want to contribute to the building of this historic structure.
The number of people wishing to participate is far greater than we can accommodate, even by sending groups up on a daily basis. That is the reality. We spare no effort in managing the flow of people and escorting them to the construction site. Everyone wants to lay a stone at this truly historic structure with a prayer on their lips.
Nevertheless, there are some people whose desire matters to me above all else. We receive many requests from our boys who defended the homeland — they also want to make their contribution to the construction.
I have instructed that our boys’ groups be given priority. I am confident that everyone else in line — from Armenia and the diaspora — will understand. There is very little we can do to repay our boys for their heroic feats or to express our gratitude to them. Let this be a symbolic step.
Dear boys, there can be no closed doors, no queues, no red tape, no inconvenience for you in Armenia. Anyone who wishes to go up to the construction site of the statue, please contact the information office or my assistant, your comrade-in-arms, Erik. Your groups will be taken up Mount Hatis on a priority basis. I will welcome you and escort you with great pleasure.