First President of the Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh Republic) and second President of Armenia, Robert Kocharyan, on Monday sent a congratulatory message to incumbent Artsakh President Bako Sahakyan, on the Independence Day anniversary of the Artsakh Republic.

Congratulating the President of Artsakh on the 28th anniversary of the independence of the republic, Kocharyan stressed the importance of the historic choice made by the Artsakh people about three decades ago, and referred to the meaning of this significant day and to President Sahakyan’s special role in strengthening Artsakh’s statehood.

Robert Kocharyan issued a respective congratulatory message to the people of Artsakh, too.

“28 years ago, we made a historic choice,” the message reads, in particular. “By making the aspirations of our people come true, Artsakh, which became one fist, declared Independence and heroically defended it with weapons.

“On this historic day, let us once again glorify all our friends at arms who crafted Artsakh’s Independence at the cost of their blood.

“[But] today, Artsakh again faces difficult challenges in the conditions of an unfinished war. The events unrolling in Armenia, which receive some negative reflection in Artsakh, as well as the forthcoming election battle [in Artsakh] should not divide the people of Karabakh.”