On 7 September at the Stepanakert Culture and Youth Palace NKR National Assembly held a special meeting dedicated to the Inauguration Ceremony of the NKR President.
After the ceremony President Sahakyan delivered a speech.
The web-site of the NKR President quotes him as saying: "Assuming the post of the Nagorno Karabagh Republic President I fully comprehend the whole responsibility I am taking, the responsibility for the destiny of the homeland and our people. I am ready and resolute to realize my election program, to lead Artsakh along the path of stable and comprehensive development. I will continue to serve our motherland, make it stronger and more prosperous. I will do everything possible to ensure wealthier and safer life for our citizens.
Five years ago, on 7 September I assumed the post of the Artsakh Republic President for the first time and we together started to solve problems our country faced. By joint efforts of the whole Armenian nation, through the involvement of all political forces and consistent support of Armenia and Diaspora we succeeded in solving numerous issues, realizing different projects to strengthen Artsakh's defense capacity, harmoniously developing the economy, improving living conditions of the population. During the last five years substantial work has been done, achievements are palpable and
evident. I want to underline that each of you, all our citizens have great personal input in this process.
I am interested in taking into consideration all opinions and viewpoints, study and discuss submitted proposals. I call continue to keep doing, to keep doing with new spirit and zeal, with hope and faith, with confidence that our success is in our hands and we will yield the desired results.
Our nation has repeatedly proved its ability to conquer heights seeming to be unattainable due to his inflexible will and firm spirit, profound wisdom and strength, unity and consolidation. Today's revived Artsakh is the striking illustration of that. People of Artsakh having passed through numerous ordeals, irreplaceable losses and nowadays developing their ancestors' land with a victorious spirit, always keeping bright the native hearth should live with dignity. The best sons of the Armenian nation sacrificed their lives for the sake of this goal. For this very goal today we go on struggling, working out and realizing projects of vital importance.
We must build a democratic state based on human rights and liberties, legitimate interests and national aspirations, mutual respect and compassionate attitude to one another.
The most important wealth our nation possesses is its intellectual potential, mature and initiative people, educated and well-rounded youth. We should develop the economy, create necessary and equal conditions for every individual to fully realize his abilities and potential.
It is our duty to care for the families of the perished freedom fighters, disabled Artsakh war veterans, socially vulnerable strata of our population.
We must further cement freedom and independence of the Artsakh Republic, strengthen the Defense Army, the main guarantor of our security. The Armenian army is our pride and the conspicuous demonstration of our victorious spirit. We always say that we strongly oppose the war, we are proponents of the conflict's peaceful settlement through civilized dialogue and with full participation of the Artsakh Republic in the negotiation process. At the same time we reiterate that our independence and freedom are exclusive values and any encroachment upon them will get a fitting rebuff.
Dear Friends,
We must have a strong and developing Motherland, a state every Armenian is proud of, a country where living and working is an honor for every citizen. I am very much confident that we will succeed in realizing our national goals and aspirations because for already two decades we are building our native Artsakh with dignity and unity. And we will keep on building, building together for the sake of our nation, its bright and secure future."
The official delegation of the Republic of Armenia at the head of President Serzh Sargsyan, NKR Second President Arkady Ghoukasyan, primate of the New Nakhichevan and Russian Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Patriarchic exarch bishop Ezras Nersisyan, Head of the Artsakh Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church Archbishop Pargev Martirosyan, leadership of the Artsakh Republic, representatives from Armenia and Diaspora, as well as guests from abroad partook at the event.
