Republican Party of Armenia

Five years ago today died Andranik Markaryan who left such an inerasable trace in Armenian politics and governance that will long serve as paragon both for present and future generations.
Today Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan, accompanied by the country's highest- ranking officials and RPA activists, visited Yerevan Pantheon and laid flowers and wreaths at Andranik Margaryan’s tomb to pay tribute to the memory of the deceased former RA Prime Minister, outstanding statesman and politician on the occasion of his death anniversary.
Andranik Margaryan was engaged in politics since 1965. From 1968 he was a member of the National United Party that operated illegally during Soviet times. Andranik Margaryan was a member of the NUP Board since 1973. He criticized the Soviet totalitarian system, defended the “Armenian Cause and envisaged the future of the Armenian people in a democratic and independent state. For his ideas and activities Andranik Margaryan was arrested in 1974 and convicted to two years of imprisonment.
Since 1992 Mr. Margryan was a member of the Republican Party of Armenia, which was the first party registered in the Republic of Armenia, inheriting the ideology of the National United Party. From 1993 to 1997 Andranik Margaryan was the Chairman of RPA Board and from 1997 to 1999- the Chairman of RPA. In 1999 he was re-elected in the capacity of RPA Chairman.
Mr. Margaryan was a member of "Yerkrapah" Volunteer Union (YVU) since 1996; later he became a member of YVU Board.
Under RA President's decree on the 15th anniversary of RA Independence and for his valuable contribution to the establishment of the Armenian statehood and country's economic development Andranik Margaryan was awarded with Sourb Mesrop Mashtots order.
He was also awarded with V. Sargsyan and G. Nezhdeh medals of RA Ministry of Defense, V. Sargsyan order of the NEVU, Aram Manukian Medal of RA Police, F. Nansen Medal of Fridjof Nansen Foundation.