Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan delivered a congratulatory message on the occasion of the 32nd anniversary of the independence of the Republic of Artsakh.

"Dear nation,

Dear compatriots,

32 years ago on this day, at a joint meeting of deputies of all levels of the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region and the Shahumyan Region, a decision was made to adopt the Declaration of Independence of Nagorno-Karabakh through the exercise of the right to self-determination.

At that time, the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh witnessed the pogroms in Sumgayit, Baku and Kirovabad, and the adoption of the Declaration of Independence was due to an existential threat, among other things.

As a result of the 44-day war, today our compatriots living in their homeland in Nagorno-Karabakh face the threat of ethnic cleansing due to Azerbaijan's policy of illegal blocking of the Lachin corridor, cessation of food, gas, and electricity supplies.

The international community is also a witness of the ongoing developments, and during the discussions on Nagorno-Karabakh, the UN Security Council also recorded the presence of a humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh and the fact that the life and security of the 120,000 people of Nagorno-Karabakh are under threat. At the same time, it was emphasized that the decisions of the International Court of Justice of February 22 and July 6, 2023 on ensuring the uninterrupted movement of people, vehicles and goods through the [Berdzor] Lachin Corridor in both directions are not implemented by Azerbaijan.

We expect the international community to make efforts to prevent the implementation of a policy of ethnic cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh.

I want to emphasize once again that all statements about the non-existence of Nagorno-Karabakh as a territorial unit and about the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh problem are groundless until the issues of security and protection of the rights of the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh are finally resolved.

Armenia, Nagorno-Karabakh, and the international community have unequivocally stated that a comprehensive and long-term resolution of the conflict must occur exclusively through peaceful means, including dialogue between Baku and Stepanakert within the framework of an international mechanism.

Dear compatriots,

We remember all our heroes who died for the Motherland and bow before them.

The Republic of Armenia will continue its efforts to ensure normal life, security and protection of rights in Nagorno-Karabakh. Today we express our gratitude to all our Nagorno-Karabakh compatriots, and our task is to ensure their inalienable right to a peaceful life and creation through peaceful and civilized means, through negotiations," the message reads.