Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan joined Defense Minister David Tonoyan to visit the Central Assembly Point of the Ministry of Defense. Accompanied by the heads of responsible agencies, the Prime Minister inspected the facilities, the medical examination procedure and watched the recruits drawing their lots. Nikol Pashinyan was briefed on the process of summer conscription.
The Premier had dinner with the recruits, including his son Ashot Pashinyan. Taking the opportunity, he asked the draftees about their professional and educational skills. Some conscripts did not draw lots by virtue of their professional abilities. The responsible persons reported that Ashot Pashinyan would not draw lots as he had wished to serve in one of Artsakh’s military units.
Addressing journalists, the Prime Minister said he was proud that his son was going to serve in the army. Asked about his fears about Ashot Pashinyan’s desire to serve in Artsakh, Nikol Pashinyan replied: “No more and no less than the parents of other soldiers. In this respect, I believe that I have no right to care for my son more than for other soldiers.”
Touching upon the issue of providing the military with the necessary conditions, the Head of Government said: “The General Staff of the Armed Forces has reported to me that there are no problems with supplies, and every necessity will be provided. Here the problem lies in the implementation. We may come across with individual decisions in different army units; those officers short of their professional duties will be held responsible for eventual shortcomings.”
Asked about the different between this and previous call-up campaigns, the Premier stressed that this one is different in that it happens in the new Armenia and in a new atmosphere. “We are firmly determined in matters of justice, legality and corruption; we are determined to go to the last with no compromise,” Nikol Pashinyan said and wished all recruits robust health and good service.