ArmInfo.September 2 is a pan-Armenian holiday, a symbol of national solidarity that every year rallies Armenians worldwide around its glorious victory and dignity. At the same time, it is a subject of our daily reflections on Artsakh as we have spared no effort for the sake of its empowerment. This is stated in the congratulatory message of the third President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan on the occasion of the 28th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence of Karabakh.
He added there are many testimonies of pan-Armenian care and love in Artsakh that were created over the past three decades: roads, schools, kindergartens, cultural centers, churches, apartments... "And this was made possible owing to the funds collected by our compatriots at home and abroad with the earnest desire to see a free and independent Artsakh as early as possible.
"28 years ago, Artsakh chose its steady course and made that irrevocable decision, sensing in its back the strength of the unity of thousands of Armenians. In no case should we allow a disruption of pan-Armenian unity in the Artsakh issue. Today it is also dangerous, as it could be during the years of the liberation struggle, and not realizing this means endangering the Motherland for the sake of momentary personal, political or other passing interests ", Sargsyan said.
At the same time, he added that today, he would like to congratulate his combat friends, including the incumbent president of the Republic of Artsakh Bako Sahakyan and Artsakh's previous leaders. " Distinguished President Sahakyan, please forward my congratulations to the Speaker of the Artsakh National Assembly, the State Minister, to all those who have made a valuable contribution to the establishment and development of the Republic of Artsakh; to all those heroic boys who risked their lives in the battlefield defending their legitimate right to free and independent life in their historic homeland. Glory to them! I bow down to the glorious memory of our fallen heroes, since only those nations who value their heroes can hope for future victories. And today, our children perform their duty at the state border of Artsakh with the same devotion, defending the independence gained at the cost of the lives of their fathers and grandfathers. Artsakh will never be part of Azerbaijan. As I have said for years, I want to reiterate today that Artsakh will never be part of Azerbaijan. On our national holiday, I wish Artsakh peace, stability, prosperity and further success in its state-building efforts," the message reads.
The second president of Armenia and the first president of Nagorno-Karabakh Robert Kocharyan also sent a congratulatory message to Artsakh and President Bako Sahakyan. In his message, Kocharyan stressed the importance of the historic choice made by the Artsakh people about three decades ago, and referred to the meaning of this significant day and to President Sahakyan's special role in strengthening Artsakh's statehood.
"28 years ago, we made a historical choice, and made our people's dreams come true: Artsakh, united in a single fist, declared independence and defended it heroically with arms. I remember with warmth the times when we had the opportunity to work together and fight in the name of victory and the establishment of independent statehood. On this historic day, it is necessary to give glory to all those who, at the cost of their lives, ensured the independence of Artsakh. Eternal memory to our war brothers who remained on the pains of battle, "Kocharyan emphasized.
At the same time, he stated that today Artsakh is again facing difficult challenges in the context of an unfinished war. "The events taking place in Armenia, which are receiving some negative reflection in Artsakh, as well as the upcoming election campaign, should not split the people of Karabakh. The military- political leadership of Artsakh should make every effort so that domestic political turbulence does not in any way affect the military potential of the country, national the unity and non-victorious spirit that has always been inherent in Artsakh. I am sure that the victorious people and their heroes cannot retreat before anyone, including those who sow hatred, distorting and a story and pursuing a destructive policy of destroying national values, " Kocharyan summed up.