STEPANAKERT. – Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR), or Artsakh, President Bako Sahakyan on Wednesday issued a congratulatory message on the 25th anniversary of the Artsakh National-Liberation Movement.

“Respected compatriots, dear people of Artsakh, 25 years ago this day proved to be pivotal for Artsakh and the whole Armenian people. The entire nation stood with a peaceful and legitimate demand that corresponds to the fundamental norms and principles of international law to restore historical justice, defend our violated dignity, rights and liberties.

Our nation’s struggle against foreign yoke, the nearly seven decades of persistent violence and oppression were at the very basis of the 1988 Movement. Despite all that, the national-liberation outburst did not cultivate national hatred and enmity toward the neighboring nation. However, the authorities of Azerbaijan responded to our civilized demands and peaceful demonstrations by organizing pogroms, exiles and persecution. They once again tried to solve the Armenian issue by way of the already-applied policy: genocide.

Nevertheless, this time their infernal intensions doomed to fail. The entire Armenian nation consolidated in the name of defending Artsakh, the native land and people, its honor and unswerving future. At the cost of the blood of the best Armenian sons, due to their heroic deeds and selflessness, we succeeded in protecting our independence and freedom and gave a worthy rebuff to the enemy, establishing peace and stability in the region entire. Eternal glory and honor to all martyrs!

Dear compatriots, valuing the 25-year long path, we can say with honor and dignity that, achieving the ideas of the objective of 1988 Movement, the Armenian nation restored its statehood, and today—and owing to the unshakable Armenia-Artsakh-Diaspora trinity—it carves its own fate independently, keeps the native land’s frontiers inviolable, develops the land of the forebears, and always keeps the hearth fire bright.

All of us, the entire nation will do everything possible for the continuous strengthening of our independent state that was achieved at such high price. It is an exclusive value without which it is impossible to think about the immortality and development of the Motherland and the native people.

Dear citizens of Artsakh, on behalf of the republic’s authorities and myself, in person, I congratulate you, and all our sisters and brothers in Armenia and in the Diaspora on this great holiday. I wish all of you peace, strong health and great success,” the NKR president’s address reads.–