YEREVAN. - The 20-year-old independent Armenian state is our achievement and our victory, the President of Union of Armenians of Russia Ara Abrahamian told Armenian News-NEWS.am.

"Once our independence itself was a dream, now we are independent and this is a great achievement and assessment of our nation. The greatest gift would be preservation of Artsakh. We must look to the future, giving critical assessment to the mistakes of the past," said Abrahamian.

According to Abrahamian, there are tasks that Armenia and Diaspora should accomplish jointly.

"First of all Armenia should get united from within. Everybody in Armenia knows about the problems and issues involved. We must arm with patience, work together and resolve these problems," he added.