STEPANAKERT. – Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan participated in the solemn ceremony devoted to the 20th anniversary of independence of Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) on Thursday.
Serzh Sargsyan made a congratulating speech on this occasion, President’s press service informs Armenian News-NEWS.am.
“This is a celebration not only for Artsakh people but also for all Armenians. It is a celebration of a dignity of human being, a dignity of nation, victory and historical justice.
This is a celebration of the right to live free and safely in own home, grew up children educating them with own culture and religion. Neither the struggle and survival for centuries, nor the tyranny for decades and the persecution of Armenians could break our determination.
The power called Azerbaijani Armed Forces was busy with massacres, destruction, robbery, ethnic cleansings, and annihilation of peace population in front of international society. It was a real torture for Karabakh. Robbers and mercenaries left no way but either to get hardened by growing in power, or cease our existence. We chose life against death to celebrate its victory today. Nagorno-Karabakh celebrates its 20 years of independence.
If previously Artsakh was the pain of the Armenians, now it is our pride. Artsakh is an established state with its structures. In case war threats, it is more democratic then the state, which speaks of democracy and national tolerance. Armenia, Artsakh and Diaspora are one unity. We do everything not only to strengthen peace and security for Artsakh, but also to develop it social-economically and culturally.
The process of peaceful resolution of the Karabakh conflict is still in progress. We do not hide the reality from our nation. Our position is vivid: the status of Nagorno-Karabakh must be not lower than its current status.
What was impossible in 1923 is possible at present. Moreover, we paid the highest price for it,” states the speech of President Sargsyan.
