Second President Robert Kocharyan has issued a congratulatory message to Armenians on the occasion of the 29th Independence Day anniversary of Armenia.

"Today, assessing the road passed just a year before the 30th anniversary of our Independence, we must realize that the no less difficult period for strengthening the Armenian statehood is ahead. It is obvious that in the modern world, we are obligated to think at the same time both about modernization and reliable mechanisms for the protection of our national identity. Creating a realistic program for the multilateral development of Armenia becomes a necessity. A national project aimed at the future, the implementation of which in the coming years will ensure the well-being of our citizens, the reliable security of Armenia and Artsakh [(Nagorno-Karabakh)].

I have no doubt that together we can overcome all difficulties and build the most organized, protected, and modern state in the South Caucasus," Kocharyan’s statement reads, in particular.