Congratulatory message of the President of the Artsakh Republic Arayik Harutyunyan on the occasion of Independence Day ․

“Dear compatriots,

Today, the entire Armenian people celebrate one of the most important state holidays, Independence Day, which opened a new page in the history of Mother Armenia, realizing the long-standing dream of the Armenians to have a free, independent and sovereign state.

21 September, 1991 became the beginning of a complex and difficult process of state-building, as well as the formation of a new legal, economic and security system. It was a period of revival of the national self-consciousness, reinterpretation of the national values, national unity and consolidation, due to which it was possible to face the existing challenges, overcome the difficulties and continue the way of building one’s own state. The 44-day war became a serious test for the Armenian statehood, leading to many human and territorial losses, but I am sure we will overcome this test and strengthen the foundations of the statehood with purposeful efforts.

This path of thirty years of independence was made possible due to the devotion, patriotism and courage of the best children of the Armenian people.

Eternal glory and honor to all those who sacrificed their lives for the Republic of Armenia, for the defense of the Homeland, for the future of the Armenian people.

Every Armenian, wherever he is, must have his contribution to the sacred work of building that future, to strengthening the Armenian statehood.

Strong and developing Armenia has no alternative.

Everywhere death is the same.

A person should die once,

But I wish that he would die for the

Freedom of his nation.”