ArmInfo.On March 21, President of the Republic of Artsakh Bako Sahakyan participated in the opening ceremony of the conference dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the independence of the Republic of Armenia in Antilias and delivered a welcoming speech.
The President noted that the year 1918 was one of the most crucial periods in the history of the Armenian people, when he restored his statehood, which had been lost many centuries ago.
"The restoration of independent statehood was not a purely declaration, it was not a reward presented to us on a silver platter." The people who were on the brink of extinction, literally 3 years ago subjected to genocide and slaughter, not only found the strength to become the master of their destiny, but also defeated in the fateful battle of the genocidal enemy.This development and victories to some today seem incredible and mysterious.Some, but not us, not our people.The secret of this feat lies in the unshakable faith of our people in God and in their strength, in unity with their native land, in inexhaustible optimism and self- sacrifice, "the President of Artsakh said.
Bako Sahakyan noted that the exploits and epochal victories of 1918 were for decades a source of special inspiration and inspiration for the Armenian people. "It is difficult to overestimate the incentive that they gave to our people on different fronts of the Second World War and in the years of the Artsakh liberation struggle. And today they are important components of the national pride and vitality of our people in the Diaspora and in their homeland. "
At the end of his speech, President Sahakyan stressed that Artsakh together with Armenia and the Diaspora will continue to steadfastly and confidently fight for the sake of further development and strengthening of independent Armenian statehood, strengthening ties between the Motherland and the Diaspora, in the name of a bright and secure future. "This is the deep meaning of our heroic battles, and we are all obliged to do everything possible in this direction," Bako Sahakyan summed up. The conference was attended by the Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram First, representatives of scientific, political and public circles of Armenia, Artsakh, Diaspora and various countries.