RA Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's congratulatory message on the adoption of the Nagorno-Karabakh Declaration of Independence.

Dear people, dear compatriots,

32 years ago, on this day, the joint session of deputies of all levels of the Nagorno Karabakh Autonomous Region and Shahumyan Region, referring to the right to self-determination, decided to adopt the Declaration of Independence of Nagorno Karabakh.

During that period, the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh witnessed the massacres of Sumgait, Baku, and Kirovabad, and an ontological threat also conditioned the adoption of the Declaration of Independence.

As a result of the 44-day war, even today, our compatriots living in their homeland, Nagorno-Karabakh, face the threat of ethnic cleansing as a result of Azerbaijan's policy due to the illegal blocking of the Lachin Corridor and the cessation of supplies of essential food, gas, and electricity.

The international community is also witnessing the ongoing processes, and the UN Security Council discussions on Nagorno-Karabakh also noted the existence of a humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh and the fact that the lives and safety of 120,000 people in Nagorno-Karabakh are in doubt. At the same time, it was emphasized that the decisions of the International Court of Justice of February 22 and July 6, 2023, on ensuring uninterrupted movement of people, vehicles, and cargo in both directions through the Lachin Corridor have not been fulfilled by Azerbaijan.

We expect the international community to make efforts to prevent the implementation of the policy of ethnic cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh.

I want to emphasize once again that all statements about the non-existence of Nagorno-Karabakh as a territorial unit and the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh problem are groundless until the issues of security and protection of the rights of NK Armenians are irrevocably addressed.

Armenia, Nagorno-Karabakh, and the international community agree that the conflict's comprehensive and long-term settlement should occur exclusively through the peace process, including the Baku-Stepanakert dialogue under the international mechanism.

Dear compatriots,

We remember all our heroes martyred for the Motherland and bow before them.

The Republic of Armenia will continue to ensure regular life activity, security, and rights protection in Nagorno-Karabakh. Today, we express our appreciation to all our compatriots in Nagorno-Karabakh, and our task is to ensure their inalienable right to live and create peacefully through peaceful, civilized means through negotiations.