ARMENIAN LEADER CONGRATULATES KARABAKH ON INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY

Mediamax
Sept 2 2009
Armenia

Yerevan, 2 September. Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan has made an
address in connection with the 18th anniversary of the proclamation
of the Nagornyy Karabakh republic’s (NKR) independence.

Serzh Sargsyan said that the past 18 years had confirmed the firmness
of the historic decision made in 1991.

"Today the NKR is a mature state that has its agencies, army,
and, what is the most important, citizens who define there fate
independently. We have a state that is putting into practice ideals
of democracy, sovereignty and freedom, and that is progressing
and developing its economy and culture, and is defending peace,
despite of all objective and artificial difficulties and ordeals,"
the Armenian president stated.

Serzh Sargsyan stressed that the Republic of Armenia and all Armenians
had been and would always be a reliable rear for Artsakh [Nagornyy
Karabakh].

"I assure all people of Artsakh and all Armenians that any decision
concerning the peaceful settlement of the Karabakh problem will be
made with the consent of the people of Karabakh and on the basis of
free expression of their will," the Armenian president stated.

Serzh Sargsyan is in Stepanakert [Xankandi] to attend in celebrations
of the anniversary of the NKR’s independence.