President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian today made a call to citizens, stating the following:

“Dear compatriots in Armenia, Artsakh and the Diaspora,

All Armenians are currently experiencing one of the most turning moments in the history of our nation spanning millennia.

We were defeated in the war imposed on us, on the battlefield and in diplomacy and on international platforms. Once again, I express my condolences to the families and relatives of the deceased and wish the wounded a speedy recovery.

We are the sons of a nation that survived and overcame genocide. The only way we can rebuild the home burnt with our own hands and the homeland we lost is to build the state in which all of us will take pride. We can surely do this by assessing the situation soberly and learning from the mistakes of the past.

Artsakh is severely wounded, the society is torn apart, there is a humanitarian disaster as a result of the huge flow of Armenians who have moved from Artsakh to Armenia, the epidemiological situation is also extremely complicated, and finally, the spirit of all Armenians is broken.

Armenia is no longer the country that it was on September 26, 2020, and not even the country that it was on November 8, 2020.

We can’t overlook this reality and continue to live the way we used to live.

Over the past few days, I have held meetings and political consultations with parliamentary and extra-parliamentary forces, various non-governmental organizations and individuals and held phone talks with various Armenian organizations of the Diaspora and Diaspora Armenians.

During my phone talks and meetings, the absolute majority of my interlocutors have shared the view that there is a need for the resignation of the Prime Minister or termination of term of service and snap parliamentary elections.

It is clear that, in spite of the end of the war, the Republic of Artsakh, the Republic of Armenia and all Armenians are entering a period of new trials in which every mistake may lead to devastating consequences.

In this situation, Armenians must only be united and consolidated. During these days, each of us, particularly politicians and state officials need to be very responsible and be restraint.

Taking into consideration the created situation and the imperative to overcome it with dignity, paying heed to the public’s demand, it is clear that snap elections of the National Assembly will eventually be inevitable in order to keep the country from turbulence.

In this context, in my opinion, the only responsible approach can be the objective assessment of the potential by the government and the ruling political party and the presentation of a roadmap in a short period of time; the roadmap will envisage the periods for launching the process that will help make it possible to hold snap parliamentary elections, and until then, the country will be governed by the highly qualified Government of National Accord.

My aforementioned observations for Armenians of the Republic of Armenia, the Republic of Artsakh and all Armenians of the world to overcome the crisis arise from pan-Armenian interests. I hope all political forces realize their responsibility and share their part of the historical mission with dignity.

I would like to remind that today everyone, including our friends and enemies are following Armenia. Our only duty is to empower the country. Our only path is to consolidate the people. Only through unity will we be able to straighten our backs and present ourselves to us and the future generations and the international community as the sons of a nation which can’t be defeated.

I am certain that the Armenian people will get out of this difficult situation with honor and victoriously. May God be with all us Armenians.”