Serzh Sargsyan is Armenia’s President, and he is currently spending his second term in office. This politician holds a degree in Philology from Armenia’s largest educational institution, ‘Yerevan State University.’ He joined the ‘Stepanakert City Communist Party Youth Association Committee’ as soon as he finished his studies. This aspiring politician also played a key role in the current conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the occupation of Nagorno-Karabakh, a self-declared republic. This political figure served in numerous roles over the course of fourteen years, including as a member of Armenia’s “Supreme Council.” He was quickly promoted to Minister of Defense, and from there, he quickly ascended the political ladder. When Armenia’s Prime Minister, Andranik Margaryan, died, President Robert Kocharyan appointed Sargsyan as his replacement. Serzh won the next presidential elections, becoming Armenia’s third President after defeating opposition leader Levon Ter-Petrossian. The Armenian President’s administration has seen both beneficial and negative changes, such as reduced corruption and increased poverty. This well-known politician was recently re-elected to a second term as President.
Childhood and Adolescence
Serzh Sargsyan was born on June 30, 1954, in Stepanakert, the capital of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic.
In 1971, he enrolled in Armenia’s ‘Yerevan State University at the age of seventeen. He took a year out to work for the ‘Soviet Armed Forces,’ and then returned to finish his degree in Philology eight years later.
The Career of Serzh
Serzh was appointed as the leader of the ‘Stepanakert City Communist Party Youth Association Committee’ in 1979 after completing his education. He served in numerous capacities for the following eleven years, including first and second Secretary of the association, and then Division Head of the ‘Stepanakert City Committee Propaganda.’
He was also a Unit Instructor for the ‘Nagorno-Karabakh Regional Committee Communist Organizations,’ and afterward the First Secretary of the ‘Nagorno-Karabakh Regional Committee,’ Genrikh Poghosyan’s deputy.
Sargsyan was appointed Chairman of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic Self-Defense Forces Committee in 1990.
Later, he was elected to the country’s ‘Supreme Council,’ at which time he played a key role in the ethnic conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan in Nagorno-Karabakh.
Three years later, in 1993, the political leader was named Minister of Defense.
In 1995, he was appointed Head of Armenia’s State Security Department, and a year later, he was moved to Minister of National Security.
Serzh served in significant roles such as Chief of Staff, Secretary of the ‘National Security Council,’ and Defence Minister under Robert Kocharyan’s administration from 1999 to 2007. At the conclusion of the same period, on April 4, Armenian Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan died unexpectedly, and Sargsyan was appointed in his place.
In 2008, the new Prime Minister ran for President of Armenia, representing the ‘Republican Party of Armenia,’ and won with 53 percent of the vote.
His political opponent, Levon Ter-Petrossian, who was soundly defeated, claimed that the elections were manipulated. Protest marches organized by the latter’s followers resulted in the deaths of ten civilians and a 20-day state of emergency.
The newly elected President assumed office on April 9, with a ceremony staged at the ‘Opera House’ in Yerevan, the country’s main city. Tigran Sargsyan, the Chairman of the ‘Central Bank,’ was chosen as the political leader’s Prime Minister.
During Sargsyan’s administration, a number of good reforms were made, notably the efficient application of press and speech freedoms, as well as the extensive usage of the internet. The use of the internet has grown significantly, resulting in the creation of blogs and other types of online media.
He gave his debut statement before the United Nations General Assembly in New York on September 25, 2008. He voiced worry about global challenges such as war, particularly the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and emphasized the UN’s ability to assist.
Serzh traveled to Moscow with Azerbaijan’s President, Ilham Aliyev, two months later. They met with former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and signed a declaration committing to meet on a regular basis for peace negotiations.
In the same year, the Armenian President committed to enhancing relations with Turkey on a global scale. For this reason, Turkish President Abdullah Gül was invited to a FIFA match between the two countries, which would be placed at a later date.
Despite some encouraging signs, Armenia’s economy suffered under Sargsyan’s presidency, as the ‘Great Recession’ struck at the same time. In 2009, the World Bank ranked the country’s GDP as the fifth-worst in the world. Poverty had increased to twice its previous level by the end of his first term.
Armenia and Turkey signed a peace treaty in Geneva, Switzerland, on October 10, 2009, agreeing to enable free movement between the two countries across the border.
The Armenian President took additional steps in 2011 to eliminate the country’s fraudulent activities. All government services were made available online, minimizing the likelihood of officials receiving bribes. Whenever there were suspicions of corruption, government officials were held accountable.
Serzh was re-elected for a second term as president two years later, on February 18, after winning the 2013 elections. The opposition also protested, claiming that the voting had been interfered with.
The president opted to join the ‘Eurasian Economic Union’ (‘EEU’) alongside Russia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan during his second term. The agreement, which aims to promote free trade between member countries and other measures of improving relations, was signed on October 9, 2014, and will take effect early the next year.
Serzh’s Major Projects
The peace accord between Azerbaijan and Armenia is one of Serzh’s significant accomplishments as President. Even while the two countries have yet to reach a clear agreement, their regular negotiations have significantly reduced hostilities in the Nagorno-Karabakh region.
Achievements & Awards
The President of Armenia was awarded the ‘First Class of the Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise’ by the Ukrainian government in 2011.
The Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh has awarded him the title of ‘Hero of Artsakh.’
For his important contribution to his motherland, this well-known politician has also received the ‘Order of First Degree’ of the ‘Combat Cross’ and the ‘Tigran Mets Order.’
Personal History and Legacy
In 1983, the President of Armenia married Rita Aleksandri Dadayan, a music instructor. Satenik and Anush are the couple’s two daughters, and they also have a granddaughter named Mariam.
Estimated Net Worth
Based on his disclosed assets, the Armenian President has an estimated net worth of 267,000 USD.
Trivia
Many believe the current President of the Republic of Armenia to be a founding member of Armenia’s armed forces.