STEPANAKERT. – President of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic Bako Sahakyan issued a congratulatory address on New Year and Christmas.

“Dear people of Artsakh,
Respected compatriots,

Time has come to bid farewell to the year of 2013 and meet the New Year with new expectations and hopes.

We all wish that the coming year will be more efficient than the passing one, that we will have new successes and achievements, that all our goals and aspirations in personal, family, state or national levels come true.

In the passing year, our nation has continued its creative work, registered new success, further strengthened the Fatherland's freedom and independence. Each of you through hard work has contributed to the development of different economic branches, putting into operation strategically important facilities, launching of various strategic projects.

The year of 2013 was also a jubilee year. We celebrated on a nationwide scale the 25th anniversary of the Artsakh National-Liberation Movement.

Of course, there have been also difficulties and omissions, we face numerous problems, and much must be done. Unfortunately, we had also irretrievable loss. Brave sons of the Armenian people were perished while defending our state borders. Their memory will always remain alive in our hearts.
But one thing is very much clear and absolutely unchanged. We are resolute and will continue to do everything possible for the development and strengthening of Artsakh, improving living conditions of our population and strengthening the Armenia-Artsakh-Diaspora trinity. For achieving all these, we must work much harder, consolidated and united, in an atmosphere of mutual respect and trust. This is the most reliable guarantee of progress and the basis of natural development.

Dear Compatriots,

On this festive day, I want to remember first of all our perished friends and congratulate their families on the New Year: Eternal glory and honor to the patriots of the nation!

I would like to congratulate all the privates and officers who are now in the trenches and positions safeguarding the native country's peace, the whole staff of our heroic army and wish them safe service.
I congratulate all our people, our sisters and brothers in Armenia and the Diaspora. I wish everyone peace, robust health, happiness, prosperity and great success. Let the year of 2014 bring only joy and abundance to your families.

Happy New Year and Merry Christmas! ”