09:32, 9 May 2023
YEREVAN, MAY 9, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan issued a statement on Victory Day, paying tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice in fighting against fascism and serving their homeland.
Below is the full statement released by the Prime Minister’s Office:
“Dear people, dear compatriots, I congratulate all of us on the occasion of the 78th anniversary of the victory in the Second World War, the Great Patriotic War.
With this victory, the civilized mankind [rejected] one of the greatest evils – fascism. The Armenian nation’s role in this is invaluable, with over half a million Armenians having had significant contribution to saving humanity from fascism with their actions as part of the Soviet Army, the Allied armies, partisan and guerilla resistance [operations].
Numerous Armenians displayed heroism in this fight, and made the ultimate sacrifice for humanity. We had more than 300,000 deaths in the war. 107 Armenians were bestowed the title of Hero of the Soviet Union, many Armenians received high awards from the USSR and allied countries, ensuring the Armenian nation’s honorary place in the fight against fascism.
Dear people, dear compatriots,
In the last several years, we’ve been marking 9 May with sadness and distress. This is primarily due to the grave consequences of the 44-Day War of 2020, the loss of Shushi in the war and the aggressive policy taking place against Nagorno Karabakh and the Republic of Armenia. The turbulent international situation is further aggravating this situation, because the security systems of our region are deformed.
In this situation, our biggest duty before those who sacrificed their lives for their country is to strengthen and empower our statehood, and the normalization of our relations in our region must be part of this program. It is this approach that should guarantee the Armenian nation’s existence in its homeland. A strong and developed Republic of Armenia must become the guarantee of honoring and commemorating all our martyrs. Glory to all martyrs who sacrificed their lives for our homeland. Glory to all the resilient warriors who are doing everything possible and the impossible for the strengthening of our state.”