STEPANAKERT. – Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, or Artsakh, President Bako Sahakyan on Wednesday attended the opening the fully restored “We and our Mountains” monument, which one of Artsakh main symbols.

The President stressed the importance of maintaining national symbols, and expressed satisfaction that the Armenian Diaspora likewise was involved in this process.

In this context, Sahakyan thanked philanthropist Karen Avagyumyan for funding the restoration of the complex, and considered this act to be one of the best ways to maintain strong ties with the historical homeland.

NKR’s second President Arkadi Ghukasyan, Armenian National Assembly (NA) Speaker Hovik Abrahamyan, First Lady of Armenia Rita Sargsyan, NKR NA Speaker Ashot Ghulyan, PM Ara Harutyunyan, British House of Lords member Baroness Caroline Cox, Ashot Baghdasaryan—son of the monument’s architect Sargis Baghdasaryan—, officials from Artsakh and Armenia, and numerous guests from abroad also were on hand at the official opening of the monument.