This is the fourth inauguration ceremony in Armenia. It has been enriched with new elements. However, the main traditions were maintained. In the morning the cortège accompanied with a motorcycle escort took the flag of the country from the Presidential Palace to the place where the ceremony was to be held. From the Constitutional Court the main copy of the Constitution was brought, and the VII century Bible was delivered from Matenadaran, the Armenian Institute of Ancient Manuscripts. The President swore having his right hand put on those two books.
The law does not foresee any text for the oath, living it at the discretion of the President. Robert Kocharian had made insignificant changes to the text pronounced 12 years ago by the first President Levon Ter-Petrosyan. The President was blessed by the Supreme Patriarch of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Catholicos Garegin II. Then the President made a statement addressed to the people. After the official part, a reception with participation of all the invitees was held.
