If we are forced into war, our blow will be final and destructive - defense minister

If Armenia is forced into a war, its blow to the enemy will be final and destructive, Armenian Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan told an award ceremony dedicated to the 19th anniversary of the Armenian army.

"Our country is currently facing extremely serious domestic and foreign challenges," he said.

"Having pulled itself together after the losses suffered at wartime, Azerbaijan now uses evey proper occasion to threaten Armenia with a new war. Violating the ceasefire regime and launching subversive acts, the enemy seems to be continuously testing our vigilance. Up to day, all kinds of transgressions have received a worthy response. And yet, the possibility of new acts of violence and provocation is not ruled out," the minister stressed.

By the decree of Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan, defense servicemen, as well as freedom fighters were awarded medals for various services to their motherland.

The event was also attended by Prosecutor General Aghvan Hovsepyan, Head of the National Security Service Gorik Hakobyan, Minister of Emergency Situations Armen Yeritsyan and chief of Armenian Police Alik Sargsyan, who brought gifts for the representatives of their fields.

"The year 2011 marks the 20th anniversary of Armenia's independence. The period was not an easy one for the newly-established Armenian state and its people. Over the past years, our armed forces helped build our staehood and contribute to its creative potential, by defending the borders of the country. Armenian military has a duty for its poeple and will be committed to their its in future too," Ohanyan added.

He said: "History knows very few cases when the formation of the national army went in parallel with war. Historians of future will probably have diffuculty in understanding a generation which, despite the blockade and collapsed economy, had the courage to wage a war against a more powerful enemy and form an army at the same time," the minister said, adding that Armenia's victory in the Karabakh war was a step to reinstate the Armenian people's place in the family of nations.