Address by the third President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan on the occasion of Independence Day of the Republic of Artsakh

For decades, up until the usurpation of power in 2018, we all together in Armenia, Artsakh and in Spyurk were celebrating this day with the grandeur, a sense of joy and dignity. Artsakh’s independence day was the day of liberation of a part of our Fatherland which had been unjustly annexed to the Armenophobic Azerbaijan. Our heroic brothers and sisters gave their lives for this day, thousands of Armenians gave the best years of their lives to this cause.

Today, however, we commemorate this once festive day under the conditions when the genocidal policies of Azerbaijan resulted in ethnic cleansing, Artsakh was purged of Armenians and occupied, the current Armenia’s administration is totally indifferent toward the problems of the forcibly displaced people of Artsakh. The political and military leadership of Artsakh, as well as other sons of the Armenian nation, became hostages and prisoners and are held illegally in Baku jails, subject to sham trials and inhumane treatment.

I believe that just as my generation was able to liberate part of our native land decades after it had been annexed and restore justice, national dignity and to force the Armenophobic Azerbaijan to accept peace. Rather than beg for peace in an undignified way, this time too, we will emerge victorious from this tragedy.

Thus, let us turn our pain into determination, let our losses ignite struggle, and let September 2 be not just a memory but an unshakable conviction in the future crowned with victories.

It is true that the Republic of Artsakh was not recognized internationally; however, the Artsakh issue was recognized internationally as an issue which must be resolved; it is testified to by the creation in the past of international mechanisms to deal with it.

Today too, there are possibilities and valid justifications to put international pressure on the Azerbaijani authorities, however Armenia’s current rulers intentionally evade using these tools.

We will not accept silently the defeatist, disastrous, full of losses policies of the relenting authorities which are being falsely presented as peace which is not secured by any guarantee and the foe makes new demands to the yielding authorities on a daily basis.

For the usurper, who is paralyzed with the fear of losing his chair, Artsakh is not Fatherland but a heavy load, the people of Artsakh are not compatriots but temporary shelter seekers, the restoration of historical justice is not a goal but a nuisance.

One thing is clear: no invader and no dictator, no temporary defeat is able to shake our resolve to live on the land gifted to us by God, to live free like other nations, independent, in peace and happiness. Artsakh is a cherished part of the Armenian homeland and the return of the people of Artsakh is their inalienable and fundamental right.

Glory, Eternal Glory to the martyrs who perished for the freedom of Fatherland!

Resolve and strength to the dignified Armenians of these days!

God bless our Fatherland!