TODAY MARKS THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE REPUBLIC

A1+
[01:37 pm] 28 May, 2008

Today marks the 90th anniversary of the first Armenian Republic. As
a result of glorious heroically fought battles of Sardarapat,
Bash-Aparan and Gharaqilisa after six hundred year recess the free
Armenian statehood was restored.

"We shall never forget May victories which were achieved due to
national unity, exceptional unanimity and will, which later served
as a base for freedom-loving spirit of the nation and for new heroic
battles during the liberation of Artsakh.

While strengthening the belief in our power, the victories accomplished
at the battle-fields, give us will and determination to keep and
to reinforce what was achieved through the joint struggle of the
generations, to empower our free statehood in order to face with
dignity today’s challenges for creating a prosperous tomorrow for
our people," stated the RA prime-minister Tigran Sargsyan in his
congratulatory address.

"Although the first Armenian Republic lasted three years it filled
our people with that great spiritual feeling, which at the end of 20th
century accounted not only for restoration of our statehood but also
for liberation of Artsakh," the President of the National Assembly
Tigran Torosyan mentioned in his speech.

On the occasion of the anniversary of the Republic the
Catholicos of all Armenians Garegin B. gave a blessing in Holy See
St. Echmiadzin. "The restoration of the Armenian statehood in the
days of the heroic battles of 1918 was crucial to our people: the
Fatherland was saved, the Fatherland to which my nation devoted all of
its strength in times of crises, putting a start to a nation-state. The
successes and the memories of those days inspire and encourage us to
stay devoted to our country, to be church-loving, to serve with the
same son-like devotion to our Fatherland for a bright future of our
people," he stated.