Artsakh President: our army will further be strong and victorious

 May 10, 2012 - 12:47 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - President of Nagorno Karabakh Republic (Artsakh) Bako Sahakyan delivered a speech at the parade of NKR Armed Forces dedicated to the Victory Day, 20th anniversary of NKR Defense Army and Liberation of Shushi on May 9.

“I cordially congratulate you on the Victory Day, 20th anniversary of NKR Defense Army and Liberation of Shushi, a day that has been sanctified by blood of our sisters and brothers thus becoming one of the most cherished holidays nationwide,” the President said.

“On this solemn day, I first of all bow my head to the bright memory of our brave sons perished for the motherland's liberation. Eternal honor and glory to our martyrs!

May 9 is a holiday of victory, the victory of nationwide unity and consolidation; it is the victory of our fathers and grandfathers in the Great Patriotic war, when best sons of the Armenian people hand in hand with other nations fought against violence and evil, setting an example of selfless heroism and courage for future generations,” he said.

“May 9 is the victory day of all Armenians in the national liberation struggle, when all parts of the Armenian nation became a single whole uniting around the exalted idea of defending Artsakh. Everything was being done for the sake of our sacred mission, for the realization of our centuries-long aspirations, for the bright future of the Armenian nation.

With this sense we liberated Shushi, our ancient fortress, a cultural and spiritual center that had been in captivity for years and which is reviving and getting a new breath of life today.

With this sense the defense army, the most important guarantor of our nation's freedom and security, its pride and one of the greatest achievements, was formed. The army was born in the crucible of the war; it accomplished and nowadays continues with credit its sacred mission of the motherland's defender.

It is also due to the Armenian army that peace and stability in the whole region are secured. This undeniable reality cannot be ignored.

We will continue to keep the army strong and victorious, with a high level of fighting capacity and strong spirit, ready to realize any task assigned.

Free, independent and developing Artsakh is a great and exclusive value for all Armenians. Due to the support of Mother Armenia, our sisters and brothers from the Diaspora, Artsakh managed to recover from the wounds of the war and embarked on the path of stable development. We will spare no efforts to achieve this goal. Today our sons born in the liberated homeland who keep its boundaries secure are proudly standing in the parade. They continue the mission of their hero fathers with dignity, thus preserving the memory of all our martyrs,” President Sahakyan said

Together with those who gained our cherished victory, today's servicemen of Artsakh army defend security of their native land and peaceful life of their own people. This has been so for 20 years, so will it be forever,” he concluded.