Wednesday, March 21 2018 13:42

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.