During the opening ceremony of the Call of Artsakh memorial at Yerablur Military Pantheon, President of Artsakh Samvel Shahramanyan responded to Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s recent statement that recognizing Artsakh as part of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and subsequent political steps are carried out within the mandate given by Armenia’s citizens, Aysor.am reports.
According to Shahramanyan, the Karabakh Armenians' stance depends on the choice of Armenia’s citizens.
“He himself says: if you oppose what I am doing, remove me and continue without me. In this situation, I believe that every citizen of Armenia — regardless of whether they voted in the elections or supported that political force — bears their share of responsibility. I hope that during the next opportunity, meaning elections, Armenia’s citizens will express their will, and based on that, we, as representatives of Artsakh’s authorities, as Artsakh Armenians, will also determine our course,” he said.
Shahramanyan also noted that the new memorial will be a shrine not only for Artsakh Armenians but for the entire Armenian nation. He expressed confidence that visits would not be limited to remembrance days but would also take place on festive occasions and even during important life events, such as weddings.
He added that it was difficult to speak in a place where heroes rest — those who gave their lives for the existence of Armenia and Artsakh as republics, Sputnik Armenia reported.
“Unfortunately, we have found ourselves in a harsh reality. The reality is that Artsakh was considered a noose around Armenia’s neck, something to be removed in order to preserve Armenia’s independence and sovereignty,” Shahramanyan said.
He stressed that many of the heroes buried at Yerablur sacrificed their lives for the defense of Artsakh, while today thousands of Artsakh Armenians are homeless, living as refugees in their own homeland.
Concluding, Shahramanyan emphasized the need to always keep alive the collective dream of returning to Artsakh, adding that one day it will become a reality.
On September 2, 1991, a joint session of deputies of the Nagorno-Karabakh regional and Shahumyan district councils in Stepanakert adopted the Declaration of Independence of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. On December 10 of the same year, a referendum confirmed Nagorno-Karabakh’s independence, with 80% of the population participating and more than 99% voting in favor.
