Artsakh President Arayik Harutyunyan today issued the following statement to commemorate the anniversary of the founding of the First Republic of Armenia in 1918.

Dear compatriots, one hundred and five years have passed since the day when, after remaining without statehood for almost six centuries, the Armenian people declared their independent state, restored their right to live freely and independently in their own land.

The First Republic of Armenia was the result of the glorious victories of May 1918. The heroic battles of Sardarapat, Bash Aparan and Gharakilisa remain a mystery to many people. For many, but not for us.

Throughout its centuries-long history, the Armenian people have appeared many times on the edge of the abyss, standing in front of a seemingly hopeless dead end, when there was not even a hint of salvation. However, thanks to the courage and bravery, selflessness, and wisdom of his brave children, he was able to withstand the blows of fate, overcome all trials and continue to build his future.

Today, we are once again living in a crucial period and once again we must fight for our existence, the preservation of national identity, and the future of a strong Armenian statehood. We have paid an extremely high price for our independent statehood, and we must keep and cherish it like the apple of our eye and pass it on to future generations.

So, let's learn the necessary lessons from the past, let's all take ownership of our Motherland together, develop and strengthen it as long as we can, before we lose the opportunity to be worthy of our holy martyrs, to be the heirs of those who built the world's ancient civilization.

Glory to the brave Armenians who built the Armenian statehood. Glory to the heroic Armenian people.