Serzh Sargsyan Biography

(President of Armenia)

Birthday: June 30, 1954 (Cancer)

Born In: Stepanakert

Serzh Sargsyan is the President of Armenia, who is presently serving his second consecutive term in the post. This politician is a Philology graduate from the largest educational institution of his nation, the 'Yerevan State University'. The moment he completed his studies, he got involved with the 'Stepanakert City Communist Party Youth Association Committee'. This budding politician also played a major role in the ongoing conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, over the occupation of the self-declared Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh. Within a span of fourteen years, this political leader served in various capacities including a member of the 'Supreme Council of Armenia'. Soon, he was made the Minister of Defence, and from there on, he rose up the political ladder in no time. When the Prime Minister of Armenia Andranik Margaryan, passed away, Sargsyan was chosen as the substitute, under the leadership of President Robert Kocharyan. The next presidential elections spelt victory for Serzh, and he became the third President of Armenia, defeating opposition leader Levon Ter-Petrossian. The Armenian President’s administration has been marked by a mix of positive and negative changes, including reduced corruption, and increased poverty. Recently, this famous political leader has been re-elected for a second term as President
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Quick Facts

Also Known As: Serzh Azati Sargsya

Age: 69 Years, 69 Year Old Males

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Rita Sargsyan

children: Anush Sargsyan, Satenik Sargsyan

Presidents Armenian Men

political ideology: Political party - Communist Party (Before 1990), Republican Party (1990–present)

Ideology: Republicans

More Facts

education: Yerevan State University

Childhood & Early Life
Serzh Sargsyan was born in the capital city of Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, Stepanakert, on June 30, 1954.
At the age of seventeen, in 1971, he started attending the 'Yerevan State University' in Armenia. He took a break to work for the 'Soviet Armed Forces', for a year, and eventually graduated in Philology, eight years later.
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Career
After completing his education, in 1979, Serzh was appointed by the 'Stepanakert City Communist Party Youth Association Committee', as its head. For the next eleven years he served in various positions like the first and second Secretary of the association, and later Division Head of the 'Stepanakert City Committee Propaganda'.
He was also the Unit Instructor of 'Nagorno-Karabakh Regional Committee Communist Organizations', and eventually the First Secretary of the ‘Nagorno-Karabakh Regional Committee’, Genrikh Poghosyan's deputy.
In 1990, Sargsyan was made the Chairman of the 'Nagorno-Karabakh Republic Self-Defence Forces Committee'. Later he became a member of the country's 'Supreme Council', during which he contributed greatly to the ethnic war in the Nagorno-Karabakh region, between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
The political leader was appointed as the Minister of Defence three years later, in 1993.
In 1995, he was made the Head of the State Security Department, of Armenia, and was promoted to the post of Minister of National Security, a year later.
During 1999-2007, Serzh served in prestigious positions like Chief of Staff, Secretary of the 'National Security Council' and the Defence Minister, all under the presidency of Robert Kocharyan. Towards the end of the same period, on April 4, the Armenian Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan suddenly passed away, and Sargsyan replaced him.
In 2008, the new Prime Minister, contested in the presidential elections, representing the ‘Republican Party of Armenia’, and won the elections with 53% votes. His political rival Levon Ter-Petrossian, who was defeated by a wide margin, argued that the elections had been rigged. The latter's supporters protest marches ended in the deaths of ten citizens, and an emergency period of 20 days.
On April 9, the newly elected President took office, with the ceremony being held in the 'Opera House', in the country's capital city, Yerevan. The political leader chose the Chairman of 'Central Bank', Tigran Sargsyan, as his Prime minister.
Several positive changes were introduced during Sargsyan's presidency, including effective implementation of freedom of press and speech, as well as the widespread use of the internet. Internet operation increased substantially, leading to the introduction of blogs and other forms of online media.
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On September 25, 2008, he delivered his first speech at the United Nations General Assembly, held in New York. He expressed concern over global issues like war, especially the one taking place between Armenia and Azerbaijan in Nagorno-Karabakh, stressing on the help that the UN could offer.
Two months later, Serzh went to Moscow, along with the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev. There they met former Russian President, Dmitry Medvedev, where they signed a statement agreeing to assemble constantly for peace talks.
The same year, the Armenian President promised to improve international relationships with Turkey. For this purpose, Abdullah Gül, the President of Turkey was invited for a FIFA match between the two countries, to be held at a later date.
Despite some promising improvements, Armenia's economy suffered during Sargsyan's presidency, since the 'Great Recession' took place around the same time. The country’s GDP was rated the fifth worst by the ‘World Bank, in 2009. By the end of his first term, occurrences of poverty had shot up to twice the earlier count.
On October 10, 2009, the authorities of Armenia and Turkey signed a peace treaty in Geneva, Switzerland, agreeing to allow free access between the two countries, through the border.
In 2011, further measures were taken by the Armenian President to reduce fraudulent practices in the country. All government services were made possible through online portals, thus reducing the chances of officials accepting bribes. Government authorities were taken to task whenever there were any allegations of corrupt actions.
Two years later, on February 18, Serzh was elected for a second term of presidency, after he won the 2013 elections. This too led to protests by the opposition, on claims that the voting was tampered with.
During his second term, the president decided to become a member of the 'Eurasian Economic Union' ('EEU'), along with Russia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan. The concord, aiming at free trade between member countries, and other means of promoting better relations, was agreed upon on October 9, 2014, coming into effect early the following year.
Major Works
One of the major contributions that Serzh has made as a President is the peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia. Even though the two countries have not arrived at a concrete resolution yet, their regular talks have helped reduced violence in the Nagorno-Karabakh region, to a considerable extent.
Awards & Achievements
In 2011, the Ukrainian government felicitated the President of Armenia with 'First Class of the 'Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise'.
He has been honoured with the title of 'Hero of Artsakh', by the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh.
This famous politician has also been awarded with 'Order of first Degree' of the 'Combat Cross' and the 'Tigran Mets Order', for invaluable contribution to his homeland.
Personal Life & Legacy
The President of Armenia got married to a music teacher, Rita Aleksandri Dadayan, in 1983. The couple have two daughters, Satenik and Anush, and have also been blessed with a granddaughter Mariam.
Trivia
The incumbent President of the Republic of Armenia is considered by many, to be one of the founders of Armenia's armed forces

See the events in life of Serzh Sargsyan in Chronological Order

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- Serzh Sargsyan Biography
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- Editors, TheFamousPeople.com
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URL
https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/serzh-sargsyan-6013.php

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