STEPANAKERT. – Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR/Artsakh) President Bako Sahakyan, on Sunday issued an address in connection with the 101st anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.

“Today, the people of Artsakh, together with the whole Armenian nation, remember the one and a half million innocent victims of the Armenian Genocide.

“101 years ago, one and a half million Armenians, including the elderly, children and women, fell victim to the Turkish yataghan, right before the eyes of the civilized world. The entire nation was deprived of the Homeland and forced to spread all over the world.

“Regrettably, genocides have been committed in modern period, too, and had the Armenian Genocide been recognized and condemned by the international community in due time, there would not have been millions of new innocent victims in different corners of the world. 

“Both on those tragic days of 1915 and today when the Armenians strive for their right to live freely and independently, for the recognition and condemnation of the Armenian Genocide, we have felt the support of a variety of countries and numerous people who put justice, humaneness, the protection of universal human rights above everything. We are grateful and thankful to all the friends of the Armenian people.

“Our adversary has not changed, but our people have. Today, the Armenians appear before the world with the two Armenian republics, the unyielding Armenia-Artsakh-Diaspora trinity, and unshrinking determination to live and create in their historical land.

“On these days in April, Armenians all over the world once again stood on their feet undivided and consolidated, to affirm to the world that they are were ready to defend their Motherland and dignity, and will do everything possible, together with their brave sons and heroic army, their unity, cohesion, and invincible spirit,” the NKR President’s statement specifically reads.