STEPANAKERT, SEPTEMBER 2, ARMENPRESS. Defense minister of Artsakh, Commander of the Defense Army, Major-General Karen Abrahamyan addressed a congratulatory message on the independence day of the Artsakh Republic, the defense ministry told Armenpress.

“Dear compatriots, on September 2, 1991, the people of Artsakh chose the path to build their future in the conditions of independent statehood. Despite the fact that the procedures for organizing the independent referendum were strictly in accordance with the requirements of the legislation of collapsing Soviet Union from legal terms, Azerbaijan opposed the democratic expression of will of Artsakh-Armenians by launching a large-scale military aggression against the newly-independent state.

The independence of Artsakh, as a pan-Armenian value, united all Armenians for the defense of the young state. In line with the military operations, Artsakh’s public administration system and defense army were formed by the support of Armenia and the Diaspora”, the letter says.

The defense minister extended congratulations on this day, stating that free and independent Artsakh is the pride of all Armenian people.

“The Defense Army firmly stands in the positions of the defense of Artsakh’s independence, dignity and future of the Armenian people. We, the military officials, will do everything to protect the Armenian people’s right to live freely and independently in their own homeland”, the minister said in his congratulatory message.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan