Serzh Sargsyan:

"The Nagorny Karabakh Republic 
is a full-fledged country with all its attributes. Even under the
threat of war, this country is much more democratic than those
speaking of democracy and national tolerance in the periods free from
threatening Armenians with war," President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan
said at the ceremonial awarding at the residence of the NKR
President, ArmInfo's correspondent to Stepanakert reported.

The Head of Republic qualified Artsakh Republic's proclamation as an
important event for the whole Armenian nation, underlining that it is
a holiday of freedom and dignity of a human being and a nation,
restoration of violated rights and the victory of historical justice.
President Sargsyan called Artsakh the pride of the world spread
Armenians.

He said that Nagorny Karabakh's status cannot be lower than it is
now.

"The peace process is continued. Unlike the other party, we do not
conceal the truth from our people and do not indulge in wishful
thinking," the president said.


He said that the life and freedom of the Artsakh people cannot be
under jurisdiction of any other country.

"What happened in 1923 is impossible in the 21st century, especially
that we had paid too high a price for that," he said.

He highlighted that the vicious, long and terrible war unleashed by
Azerbaijan could drive to desperation anyone but not the Karabakh
people.

"Artsakh's self-defense groups drove to desperation and made to
escape those who turned our rich and beautiful region into the hell.
Massacres, destruction and robbery, ethnic purges and annihilation of
peaceful population were what the Armed Forces of the Azerbaijani
Republic were engaged in. For us that invasion of mercenaries and
robbers was historical testing that made us choose between death and
fight to live and become stronger. We chose life and today we
celebrate the victory of live over death," Serzh Sargsyan said.

The president said he is sure all the big and small problems will be
settled in the visible future and Artsakh will celebrate more and
more anniversaries.

The solemn ceremony of awarding took place at the residence of the
Artsakh Republic President on September 1. President Serzh Sargsyan
of Armenia who arrived in Artsakh yesterday to partake in the
independence celebrations was present at the event.

In connection with the 20th anniversary of the NKR proclamation a
group of Artsakh liberation movement activists, freedom fighters and
servicemen, distinguished public figures and politicians,
philanthropists, scientists, workers of culture, education and sports
spheres, journalists from Artsakh, the Republic of Armenia, Diaspora
and abroad were decorated with state awards.