Arayik Harutyunyan assumed the office of President of the Republic of Artsakh in a solemn swearing-in ceremony. The event took place during a special session of the National Assembly held in the hall of the Shushi Culture and Youth Center, in accordance with the procedure prescribed by the Constitution.
For the presidential oath, the state flag of the Republic of Artsakh, the Constitution, and a 17th-century Gospel were brought into the hall.
In his oath of office upon assuming the presidency of the Republic of Artsakh, Harutyunyan said, in particular: “Assuming the office of President of the Republic of Artsakh, I swear to unconditionally fulfill the requirements of the Constitution, to respect the rights and freedoms of man and citizen, to ensure the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and security of the Republic, for the glory of the Republic of Artsakh and the welfare of the people of Artsakh.”
Present at the inauguration and swearing-in ceremony were the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan, the President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan, the third President of Artsakh Bako Sahakyan, the second President Arkadi Ghukasyan, and His Grace the Reverend Father. Members of the National Assembly of the Republic of Artsakh, members of the Artsakh Security Council and government, the President of the Supreme Court and the presidents of the Court of Appeal and the Court of First Instance, the highest officer corps of the Defense Army, members of the Central Electoral Commission, representatives of Armenian and Artsakh political parties, and others participated in the special session of the National Assembly.
Archbishop Pargev Martirosyan, Primate of the Artsakh Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church, delivered a blessing and also offered congratulations on the occasion of the Feast of the Ascension.
On 15 April, Arayik Harutyunyan, chairman of the “Free Homeland” party, had been elected president by the results of the second round of the presidential elections of the Republic of Artsakh. In the second round, his competitor was Foreign Minister Masis Mayilyan. The first round of voting had taken place on 31 March.
Harutyunyan succeeded Bako Sahakyan in the office of head of state.
