Our 19-year-old independence is a babe in the cradle, the head of “Political Research Academy” NGO Alexander Manasyan told a press conference on Tuesday.

He called the victory in the Karabakh war the major achievement of Armenia’s independence during 19 years. “Victory in the Karabakh war is our major achievement. Neither of political parties should ascribe victory to itself, as Artsakh was liberated at the cost of our soldiers’ lives, it was liberated by people,” he said, noting that the generation of independent Armenia realizes the essence of the victory.

“Time is precious for us, we do not have a right to linger as we used to do during recent 19 years,” he added, motivating his opinion by grave economic, social and political situation in the country. “Due to our feebleness agriculture suffers constant crisis.  The educational system with its 12-years’ school concept, as well as church are in a grave state” he stated.

Historian Rafik Tadevosyan shared Manasyan’s view, saying that victory in the Karabakh war is the major achievement. “We have to do a lot of work to comprehend 19 years of independence. We have not done it during this period. However, everything we have today we have thanks to our people. We have territories that were obtained by the blood of our sons with the borders established by us,” he stressed, adding that we do not have a good foreign policy vector in the Karabakh peace process.

On September 21, Armenia celebrates Independence Day.