Independence is key chapter of our history, says Karabakh official

Independence marks a key turning point in the history of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), as September 2 opened a new chapter in our history, an official has said, commenting on the agenda of the events set to mark the 23^rd anniversary of the country’s independence.

“We should consider this an integral part of the Armeniam statehood instead of separating Artsakh and the Armenian history. This is an important part of our common history,” David Babayan, a spokesperson for Nagorno-Karabakh’s president, told Tert.am.

The Declaration on Nagorno-Karabakh’s independence was adopted on September 2, 1991 in a joint session attended by parliamentarians and members of the regional council of Shahumyan. In a referendum on December 10, the population of the then autonomous region voted overwhelmingly for independence (99%).

Asked to comment on the developments over the past period, Babayan said they managed to proclaim the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, investing long and painstaking efforts in state-building activities.
 

“Having been an autonomous region for 70 years [in the Soviet period], we are now embarking on a period that implies a higher degree [of freedom]. And we have created a new state which has, of course, brought new challenges, new problems, and opportunities. Those 70 years were years of struggle, as our nation accumulated a very powerful potential and developed a kind of immune system to all sorts of difficulties,” Babayan added.

He said the Armenians’ joint efforts helped overcome the challenges to the entire nation in the face of Azerbaijan’s blatant threats to destroy Artsakh and Armenia. “Azerbaijan’s calculations fell flat, and we, the two Armenian states, are integrated and full of hope for the future today,” he added.

Commenting on the California Senate’s decision to recognize Artsakh, Babayan described it as their latest achievement that became a kind of gift for all Armenians in the run-up to the independence anniversary. He said the move was a really significant landmark, noting that California is a big and powerful state with a powerful economy.

“It is due to joint efforts - by Armenia, the Diaspora and Artsakh. It is also the valuation of the past path, as no one is likely to recognize a fascist and extremist state. Hence what California – I mean the civilized world – has said is that Artsakh is a democratic and civilized state. That is why we earned California’s recognition,” he noted.

Babayan said they are now preparing for the holiday, adding that a special commission has been set up to deal with organizational issues. “Though this is not а jubilee – as the anniversary is the twenty-third – there will be the traditional events. The president will host honoring ceremonies; we will conduct visits to different places and lay flowers on the monument of freedom-fighters [veterans of the Artsakh liberation war]. There will also be a festive concert and a display of fireworks,” he added.