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Serzh Sargsyan

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Serzh Sargsyan is a prominent Armenian politician who shaped the nation for many years. He served as the third President of Armenia from 2008 to 2018. Before his presidency, he served as Prime Minister from 2007 to 2008. He also held the role of Prime Minister again in April 2018. This second term was very short because he resigned after only six days. His resignation followed large-scale protests known as the 2018 Armenian revolution.

Presidenet of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan in Qatar, Doha
Presidenet of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan in Qatar, Doha

Sargsyan was born on June 30, 1954, in Stepanakert. His father was Azat Avetisi Sargsyan. His family moved to Stepanakert after his grandfather was arrested during the 1937 Great Purge. Sargsyan attended Yerevan State University and studied in the Philological Department. He graduated in 1979. Between 1971 and 1972, he served in the Soviet Armed Forces in the Ural region. He is fluent in Armenian and Russian, and he also knows Azerbaijani.

His political career began in the Stepanakert Komsomol Committee. He held several leadership roles there before moving into national politics. During the First Nagorno-Karabakh War, Sargsyan helped organize the defense of the region. He served as the head of the Defense Committee for the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic in 1992. Later, he became Armenia's Minister of Defense from 1993 to 1995. He also held roles as the Minister of National Security and the Minister of Interior.

In 1998, Sargsyan was part of a group that led to President Levon Ter-Petrosyan's resignation. This happened because the leaders disagreed with a peace plan for the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Sargsyan later served as the Chief of Staff for President Robert Kocharyan. He also served as Defense Minister again from 2000 to 2007. In April 2007, he was appointed Prime Minister following the death of Andranik Margaryan.

Abdullah Gul in Armenia (2008-09-06) 01
Abdullah Gul in Armenia (2008-09-06) 01

Sargsyan won the February 2008 presidential election with about 53% of the vote. While monitors called the election democratic, some supporters of the former president disputed the results. This led to protests in Yerevan that ended in violence on March 1, 2008. Ten people died during these events, and a state of emergency lasted for 20 days. After taking office, Sargsyan focused on several domestic changes. He worked to reduce corruption through e-government services and stricter enforcement of laws.

Dmitry Medvedev in Armenia 20 August 2010-7
Dmitry Medvedev in Armenia 20 August 2010-7

During his presidency, Armenia saw changes in technology and society. Internet penetration rose from 6.2% in 2008 to 37% in 2011. This growth allowed the blogosphere to expand, with over 10,000 bloggers by 2011. However, the economy faced significant challenges. In 2009, Armenia's GDP contracted by over 14% due to the Great Recession. This was the fifth worst contraction in the world that year. The poverty rate also rose, reaching 32.4% in 2012.

Secretary Clinton and Serzh Sargsyan
Secretary Clinton and Serzh Sargsyan

Sargsyan also managed important international relationships. He led Armenia's move to join the Eurasian Economic Union in 2015. This union includes Russia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan. He also worked to find a peaceful solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. He met with leaders like Ilham Aliyev and Dmitry Medvedev to discuss peace. Sargsyan used the OSCE Minsk Group as a way to continue these important talks.

Secretary Kerry Shakes Hands With Armenian President Sagsyan Before a Meeting on the Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict in Vienna (27057410615)
Secretary Kerry Shakes Hands With Armenian President Sagsyan Before a Meeting on the Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict in Vienna (27057410615)

Throughout his leadership, Sargsyan dealt with complex regional issues. He addressed the military buildup in the South Caucasus during his speech to the United Nations. He maintained that Armenia wanted a just and peaceful settlement for all conflicts. Even after his resignation, he remained a leader in the Republican Party. Today, his party is part of the opposition I Have Honor Alliance. His career shows how much one leader can influence a nation's path.

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🖼️ Images & Media (8)
File:Secretary Clinton and Serzh Sargsyan.jpg
Secretary Clinton and Serzh Sargsyan.jpg
File:Dmitry Medvedev in Armenia 20 August 2010-7.jpeg
Dmitry Medvedev in Armenia 20 August 2010-7.jpeg
File:С Президентом Азербайджана Ильхамом Алиевым и Президентом Армении Сержем Саргсяном - 1.jpeg
С Президентом Азербайджана Ильхамом...
File:Посещение турнира по боевому самбо. С И.Алиевым (слева) и С.Саргсяном - 1.jpeg
Посещение турнира по боевому самбо. С...
File:Secretary Kerry Shakes Hands With Armenian President Sagsyan Before a Meeting on the Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict in Vienna (27057410615).jpg
Secretary Kerry Shakes Hands With...
File:Presidenet of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan in Qatar, Doha.png
Presidenet of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan in...
File:Abdullah Gul in Armenia (2008-09-06) 01.jpg
Abdullah Gul in Armenia (2008-09-06) 01.jpg
File:2nd EPP EaP Summit (8241836726).jpg
2nd EPP EaP Summit (8241836726).jpg
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