Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR; Artsakh) President Bako Sahakyan on Monday sent a letter of condolence to the family of Ambassador of Armenia to Germany Vahan Hovhannisyan, a notable figure of the ARF Dashnaktsutyun Party, who passed away.

“Vahan Hovhannisyan’s contribution to the formation of the independent Armenian statehood and the National Liberation Movement is invaluable. He was a great patriot, prominent political figure, experienced diplomat, [and] a good and kind person who enjoyed great respect in Armenia, Artsakh, and the [Armenian] Diaspora.

“On behalf of the Artsakh Republic people, authorities and myself personally, I express my sincere sympathies and condolences to all relatives and friends of the deceased, [and] wish [them] courage and tenacity.

“The memory of Vahan Hovhannisyan will always remain bright in our hearts,” the NKR President’s letter specifically runs.

Vahan Hovhannisyan, who was fighting a severe illness for a long time, died on Sunday. A governmental commission, led by Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan, has been set up to organize the funeral services for Hovhannisyan, who was born in capital city Yerevan on August 16, 1956.