President of the Republic Vahagn Khachaturyan sent a message on the occasion of the 34th anniversary of the Spitak earthquake.

"Dear compatriots,

Today we commemorate the innocent victims of the devastating earthquake in Spitak and bow to their memory.

December 7, 1988, is one of the most tragic days in our history.

34 years ago, about three tens of thousands of our citizens died in a natural disaster, and hundreds of thousands became homeless. The country's economy, the population's potential, and psychology were dealt an enormous blow, the consequences of which are significant even today.

At the same time, natural disasters are tests for states and peoples, which demonstrate the internal reserve of statehood and society's resistance.

Our people were able to unite, strengthen themselves with spirit and will and build and create again during that fateful period of ongoing war and statehood.

Our compatriots scattered all over the world, the tremendous friendly states and individuals of the Armenian people, who showed their invaluable and irrevocable support to the cause of eliminating the consequences of the earthquake, restoring our settlements, educational and industrial structures, were not left out of this sacred work.

Today, all the efforts of our state and society should be aimed at eliminating and neutralizing the material and moral consequences of the earthquake because the best way to honor the memory of the innocent victims is our restored, developing, and flourishing cities and villages, the educational institutions of Gyumri, Spitak, Vanadzor and dozens of communities. And industrial structures, green gardens, and bright streets". - the message says.