A scene from the reopening ceremony of the 'We Are Our Mountains' monument which took place earlier this year

STEPANAKERT—On December 10, 1991, the people of Artsakh voted on a referendum to proclaim the Nagorno Karabakh Republic independent. The referendum was ratified by a 98.9 percent of voters. The message of the Armenian people, who once again were confronted with massacres and ethnic cleansing, was clear. They would stand no more. Thus began Karabakh’s struggle for independence. 15 years later, again on December 10, Artsakh ratified its state constitution, reaffirming the people’s belief in freedom and cementing their commitment to democracy.

On Tuesday, Dec. 10, President of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic Bako Sahakyan issued a congratulatory address to the people of Artsakh and to all Armenians.

“Dear Compatriots,

On behalf of the Artsakh authorities and myself personally, I cordially congratulate you on the anniversary of Artsakh’s Independence Referendum and Constitution, a holiday which has a unique place in the life of our nation

December 10 is significant for the Artsakh people due to important state events, which have been serving as a basis and guideline for our further development. In 1991 Artsakh chose once and for all the path of building an independent democratic state and 15 years later reconfirmed and fixed that historic decision with its firm affirmative for the basic state law – the Constitution.

Being committed to democratic norms and principles, guided by its universal principles and values – the core of which are human beings with rights and freedoms – we passed through a complicated and difficult path and registered tangible success.

However, we still have much to do in this direction. The supremacy and equal protection of the law must become a way of life for our society, a mandatory condition in everybody’s work and daily life. Only in this way can we build a powerful and developed country.

Dear people of Artsakh,
I congratulate all of us on this double holiday and wish peace, robust health and all the best.”