The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Artsakh has issued a statement
on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the declaration of the Republic of Mountainous Karabagh:
The statement reads:
«30 years ago, on 2 September 1991, the joint session of deputies of all levels of the Mountainous Karabagh Autonomous Region and the Shahumyan district declared the Republic of Mountainous Karabagh, laying the foundation for the creation of an independent democratic state. The declaration of the republic fully corresponded to the norms of international law and the legislation of the USSR in force at the time, which granted autonomous formations and national minorities living together the right to determine their own fate and political status independently. On 10 December 1991, the decision to create an independent state was affirmed in a nationwide referendum through the free expression of the will of the people of Artsakh (Mountainous Karabagh):
The adoption of the Declaration of 2 September 1991 on the proclamation of the Republic became one of the pivotal events of the national-liberation struggle of the Armenians of Artsakh, which was based on the people’s right to self-determination, the restoration of historical justice and the aspiration to reunite in one unified Armenian state, with the aim of freeing themselves from the constant threat of physical annihilation:
Under the conditions of Azerbaijan’s consistent policy of solving the Azerbaijani-Karabagh conflict by force and the threat of force, through intimidation, ethnic cleansing, massacres and mass violations of human rights, aimed at depriving the Armenians of Artsakh of their homeland, the creation of an independent state was not only an important political step, but also a historical necessity: The geopolitical changes of the 1990s and the growing regional tension demanded decisive steps for the self-organisation of society and the creation of state institutions (structures), necessary to repel the impending armed aggression (attack) of Azerbaijan and to guarantee the right of the people of Artsakh to live in peace and develop:
Since Independence Day, the Republic of Artsakh has gone through many trials, including devastating wars and heavy losses: Nevertheless, neither intimidation and threats, nor the blockade and repeated military aggressions have been able to break the will of the people of Artsakh and their determination to defend their independence and sovereignty, to strengthen and develop their statehood:
We are convinced that Armenian statehood in Artsakh is the main guarantor of national identity, the preservation of dignity and the provision of a secure future, as well as the means of realising the people’s inalienable right to determine their own political destiny independently.
On this memorable day, we pay tribute of respect and gratitude to those who fought for the dignity, freedom and independence of Artsakh, we bow our heads before the memory of those who sacrificed their lives in that sacred struggle; their courage and heroism will forever remain a shining example of selfless service to the homeland and devotion to the national cause:
Remaining faithful to the ideas, goals and principles of the national-liberation movement, the people and authorities of the Republic of Artsakh will continue to strive with unwavering determination to achieve international recognition of the country’s independence and the restoration of territorial integrity, the strengthening and development of sovereign statehood.
Long live the Republic of Mountainous Karabagh.
Glory and honour to all the fighters for the freedom and independence of Artsakh»:
