Monday, August 29 2016 11:55

ArmInfo. Armenian President  Serzh Sargsyan conducted a working visit to Gegharkunik and Kotayk  marzes on August 27. 

The press office of the Armenian President reports that Serzh  Sargsyan was hosted at the Erkrapah sport and recreation compound of  the Erkrapah Volunteer Union and at the tent camp of the Startup  Armenia conference. Serzh Sargsyan visited also the participants of  the Bazeh-2016 pan-Armenian gathering.

During the visit to the sport and recreation Erkrapah compound, which  has been functioning since 2015 for three generations of the homeland  defenders - junior, young and senior, Serzh Sargsyan toured the camp,  familiarized with the daily activities and conditions in the camp.  The President congratulated the homeland defenders on a successful  course of the sport and teaching gatherings. After the welcoming  remarks from different generations of the erkrapahs and the march of  the young homeland defenders, Serzh Sargsyan familiarized with the  conducted works and teaching courses. The President of Armenia was  reported that since May 30, the teaching and sporting gathering at  the Erkrapah compound has already hosted 30 shifts from all regions  of Armenia, Yerevan, all administrative regions of Artsakh and  Spyurk. The camp has also received children from the needy families.

Next, President Serzh Sargsyan visited the tent camp of the  educational Sevan Startup Forum at the Sevan National Park. This year  the gathering organized by the Startup Armenian educational and  scientific Fund in August 18-28 has brought together 350 young people  from Yerevan, marzes of Armenia, and Spyurk. The President  familiarized with the conditions, different events organized at the  camp, startup projects of the winners organized during the  conference, and watched a video about the conference.

In the evening, in the framework of his working visit to Kotayk,  President in Tsakhkadzor visited the participants of the Bazeh-2016  gathering organized by the Youth Foundation of Armenia. The event,  which is held on August 22-28, is attended by over 500 participants  from Armenia, Artsakh, Javakhk, and Spyurk.  The President of Armenia  learned about the events organized in the framework of Bazeh-2016,  daily routine of the participants, watched a video narrating about  their activities, was present at the flash mob organized by the  campers and dedicated to the 25th anniversary of Armenia's  independence, attended sporting events and the exhibition. The  President met with the participants of Bazeh-2016 and answered their  questions after which Serzh Sargsyan made welcoming remarks. He  expressed confidence that the participants of this year's Bazeh  gathering have had interesting time and in this brief period have  been able to find new friends, establish new links, and connections.  The President said it was important that people who have similar  interests, and first of all the young people, are able to find each  other. With this regard, Bazeh, according to the President, is a very  important platform. Along with new friends, connections and  acquaintances Serzh Sargsyan stressed the importance of new ideas,  new inspiration and noted that he was confident that these days the  participants of Bazeh have had new ideas, interesting discussions,  which will continue after they return home.

"I have to confess once again that I think highly of our new  generation. It is no secret that in many circumstances and in  different milieus there is certain disapproval regarding our young  people, the new generation, like they read too little, they are  inactive, reject many of our national traditions, trying to introduce  foreign trends in our society and so on. I repeat once again: I  disagree and don't think that our youth needs reeducation or  patriotic propaganda because there have been critical moments for our  country when our young people have manifested themselves in the most  splendid way. Obviously, different strata of our society, including  different groups of youth have different opinions regarding this or  that phenomenon, and it is quite natural and logical - it is the  first prerequisite for any society's development. It is simply  unacceptable when in the course of political struggle or discussions  attempts are made to solve problems by force or in the worst case  scenario - by arms. This is unacceptable," said the President of  Armenia and underscored that violence never yields positive results.  On the contrary, it poses danger for the people and the country  alike.  According to President Sargsyan, violence cannot empower  anyone; it can only and only weaken. "I mention this because the so  called "revolutionary mood" very often is peculiar for young people  too, and that romanticism stems from inexperience. One ought to keep  this in mind. Political struggle is a very normal thing, and our  young people more than once have taken up political struggle, taken  to the streets to protect their rights and the rights of the society.  I would like to repeat that it is normal. However it is not normal  when people or organizations or agencies are trying to pollute  people's minds and conscience and do it in their own interest,"  stressed the President of Armenia and added that nobody can really  tell whom serve the people, who "muddy the waters", because in  today's world methods of struggle have changed and new tricks are  being employed and white should be distinguished from black.

Speaking about problems of the youth, the President expressed opinion  that today they lack a Western type education but it's not their  fault. It takes a long time to get a competitive model like that and  no country has been able to achieve that in a short period of time.  Serzh Sargsyan assured that in Armenia the work is underway to get  progress on that direction. "Today young people in our country have  freedom, have pretty extensive opportunities - freedom of speech,  political liberties, opportunities to get education and knowledge. I  would like you to use these opportunities fully. I wish you success  and would like to stress once again that knowledge is essential,  abilities and opportunities must be expanded," said President  Sargsyan addressing the participants of the meeting and assured that  next year the youth gathering will be held for a longer period of  time.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the President attended the  gala-concert organized at the camp of Bazeh- 2016 on the occasion of  the gathering.