STEPANAKERT, SEPTEMBER 2, ARMENPRESS: The exclusive interview of Artsakhpress with President of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic Bako Sahakyan. 

- Mr. President, as a citizen of the country and the head of state, how do You estimate September 2, 1991, in the context of the de facto independence of our country, acquired more than a quarter century ago?

-September 2, 1991 I would call one of the most important events for Artsakhian, generally for the whole Armenian people, an important event in the history of the Armenian statehood. That day became the culmination of the Artsakh National Liberation Movement, which laid the foundation for the establishment of an independent state and the process of its construction. History shows that it was absolutely the right decision to ensure the safety of Artsakh and its sustainable development.

- In Your opinion, is the potential of our foreign policy fully used for the final, just solution to the Karabakh conflict and the international recognition of Nagorno-Karabakh?

- Speaking about the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, it should be noted that one should not identify it with the settlement of the Azerbaijani-Karabakh conflict, as the latter is only a part of the conflict. Artsakh issue has already been settled.

For 70 years we fought to get rid of the foreign yoke and achieved our goal creating a free and sovereign state, defended our nation's independence, and now together with the Republic of Armenia and the Diaspora we develop and strengthen our country. There is no way back for us, the independence and security of Artsakh are exceptional values in all dimensions  ​​that are not subject to negotiation.

With regard to the settlement of the conflict and the international recognition of Nagorno-Karabakh, it is obvious that this is a long process and requires consolidated and hard work that is not limited only by the efforts of the official Stepanakert.

For example, the biggest obstacle to the settlement of the conflict is the destructive and aggressive policy of Azerbaijan, dealing a big blow to the efforts of the country-mediators to resolve the conflict. In this situation, of course, it is impossible to expect any breakthrough, even in case of activating our foreign policy efforts.

Speaking about the international recognition of Artsakh it should be noted that we are working in close cooperation with Armenia and the Diaspora, and already have a positive promotion.

Artsakh has been recognized by the United States, a number of Australian states, cities of different countries.

Naturally, we do not dwell on this and will continue to work hard in the direction of expanding the geography of the recognition process and bring the issue to consideration by developed countries.

- How do You assess the socio-economic situation in Artsakh in accordance with its quantitative and qualitative criteria?

- The economy of our country has sufficiently high growth rates. In recent years, they have made 8-9% in annual terms. Satisfactorily dynamic development is observed in such sectors that allow to ensure long-term sustainable economic growth, such as mining, energy and other infrastructure.

At the same time there are, of course, many problems and things to do.

In particular, special attention should be paid to issues related to the effective use of domestic resources, to stimulate local production, especially the achievement of self-sufficiency in production of major agricultural products, entering international markets with competitive products, and issues related to the training of qualified personnel in various fields.

In this direction work is carried out with the participation of leading experts from Armenia and the Diaspora. Hopefully in this field we will have progress.

- In Your opinion, how cohesive and united is our society in case of internal and external challenges periodically facing the country?

- I think that our society is cohesive enough, as without this the national liberation movement in 1988, the formation of the Republic of Artsakh, victory in the war unleashed by Azerbaijan, which became patriotic for us, elimination of the consequences of war and the sustainable development of the state would have been impossible.

Such unity, of course, does not mean that there is no dissent in the society.

On the contrary, in any democratic state there must be civilized coexistence of ideas and thoughts, which is one of the key factors for progress and sustainable development.

-Mr. President, our last question, which interests us and our readers  is to know how and in what company does the President of the Artsakh Republic usually celebrate the Republic Day and, in general, all other public holidays?

- There are holidays that are considered family holidays such as New Year, Christmas Day, Day of Maternity and Beauty Day, birthdays of family members and others. Such memorable days I try to celebrate in the narrow family circle.

As for holidays such as Day of the Republic of Artsakh, Triple holiday of May 9, double celebration of the Referendum and the Constitution, I mark such holydays with all our people, because of their nature and meaning of such.

-Mr. President, thank You for not rejecting our request of interviewing You. On behalf of "Artsakhpress" News Agency staff, readers and me personally I congratulate You and wish the best on the occasion of the Republic Day.

Interview by Vahram Poghosyan