Artsakh National Assembly Speaker Arthur Tovmasyan issued the following message to mark 30th anniversary of the NKR Supreme Council’s first convocation.

This day 30 years ago, in 1991, as a result of the elections held on December 28, the legislative body of the newly established republic, the Supreme Council, was formed. On January 6, 1992, it approved the declaration of Nagorno-Karabakh’s independence.

On this occasion, I warmly congratulate the chairmen, vice-chairmen, chairmen of committees, heads of factions, deputies of all convocations of the legislative body, and wish them health, peace, and a dignified future.

Azerbaijan responded to the declaration of independence with three wars. Eleven deputies of the first convocation of the Supreme Council sacrificed their lives during the first Artsakh war. Eternal glory to them and all the heroes who died for the homeland. I bow to their sacred memory.

On the 30th anniversary of the NKR Supreme Council, the Artsakh Parliament intended to convene a special sitting on December 28, but no sitting was convened due to the epidemic announced in the republic. Nowadays, Artsakh, albeit cropped, has a statehood, and its independence is indisputable.

Alongside the final settlement of the conflict, the issue ofthe Artsakh Republic's international recognition and its borders steadfastly remains. The existence and salvation of the Armenian people struggling down the paths of history was always conditioned by the unity and unanimity of the Armenians. With our way of life, we must resolutely stand up for the homeland that is destined for us, we must fight back for the protection of our rights. Our will and goals are unshakable, they are not subject to compromise. We call on all Armenians to manifest unity, mutual understanding and tolerance.