Today, on 2 September, Artsakh celebrates the 29th anniversary of the declaration of the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh.
On 2 September 1991, in Stepanakert, a joint session of the Nagorno-Karabakh Regional Council of People’s Deputies, the Shahumyan District Council, and deputies of Councils at all levels adopted a declaration on the proclamation of the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh and the formation of its temporary bodies of state power and administration. From that day began the modern history of Artsakh as an independent and sovereign state.
On 10 December 1991, a referendum was held that confirmed the independence of Nagorno-Karabakh. On that day, 99 percent of the population of the NKR voted in favour of independence. Following the referendum, the NKR parliament was formed through parliamentary elections, which constituted the first government.
During the 29 years following the declaration of independence, no state in the world has recognised the independence of Artsakh, although the successes recorded in the process of state-building are evident, and Azerbaijan’s failed military adventure of 2016 has shown that the independence of Artsakh is an irreversible reality, and that the Armenian people are more united and determined than ever regarding the defence of the homeland.
