Nagorno Karabakh Foreign Ministry’s statement was submitted to the UN Secretary General and Security Council member-states on the occasion of celebration of the triple holiday – Victory Day, 20th anniversary of Shushi liberation and Artsakh defense army formation, according to Armenia’s permanent representation in the UN.

“May 9 is a triple holiday in the Nagorno Karabakh Republic. This day Artsakh people celebrated the holiday of unity, peace and freedom and the day of victory in the Great Patriotic War.

Artsakh Armenians played a significant role in achieving a victory against the Nazis. Artsakh gave three marshals, one admiral, 24 generals, 28 heroes of USSR and many officers, who had major contribution to the Great Patriotic War.

May 9 celebrates the 20th anniversary of Shushi liberation.

Shushi, due its impregnability, has long served as a unique defensive point for population of Varanda. In XVIII century it became a fortress town and a major trade and cultural center in XIX. In 1920, Soviet power was established in Shushi and in June 1923 Nagorno Karabakh was transferred to Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic.

In 1990s, Shushi served as a major base for Azerbaijani military aggression; it was mainly used for shelling of Stepanakert, which claimed hundreds of victims and injured people.

The conversion of Ghazanchetsots Cathedral into a military warehouse was vivid proof of Azerbaijan’s attitude to Armenians and Armenian cultural heritage.

Artsakh people were on the verge of annihilation. On the decisive moment, Azerbaijani forces left the town due to Karabakh defense army’s military operation on May 9, 2012.

After liberation of Shushi, the Armenian forces managed to cleave Road of Life at the shortest section between Nagorno Karabakh and Armenia

May 9 also celebrated the anniversary of formation of Artsakh army, which symbolizes nation’s aspiration to defend its honor, ensure security and freedom. For this reason, every year, on this day Artsakh urges its people to reap lessons from the past and uphold commitment to principles of peaceful existence and resolution of conflicts.

Moreover, official Baku constantly issues aggressive statements and threats addressed to NKR, as if “forgetting” about the ceasefire agreement, signed by Artsakh and Azerbaijani leaders in 1994.

For the past seven years Azerbaijan has over 20 times boosted its military expenses, exceeding all the international limits.

Nagorno Karabakh Ministry of Foreign Affairs states that Republic of Azerbaijan, having initially pursued power politics, bears responsibility for transforming the Karabakh issue into a military conflict and hindering the resolution of Karabakh-Azerbaijan conflict.

The NKR Foreign Ministry calls on the international community to give proper assessment to Azerbaijan’s policy which runs counter to the UN Charter and the Helsinki Final Act to deter Azeri further aggression,” the statement reads.

Artsakh Foreign Ministry’s statement will be officially disseminated this week as UN General Assembly and Security Council documents.