Artsakh President Bako Sahakian delivers address on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Artsakh Defense Army and Shushi’s liberation (Photo: President of the Artsakh Republic)

STEPANAKERT, Artsakh—Ceremonies and celebrations took place in the Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) Republic on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Defense Army and the Liberation of Shushi.

On Monday, a solemn ceremony took place at the Artsakh President Bako Sahakian’s residence, where he delivered an address marking Artsakh’s 25th anniversary Shushi’s liberation and the state’s Defense Army.

Artsakh Defense soldiers were honored with the “For Courage and Bravery” medals for defending the Artsakh state borders, while other servicemen were awarded high state honors.

In his speech, Sahakian underlined that “May 9 is among the most cherished holidays of all the Armenians and our independent statehood, the holiday that is full of greatest pride and dignity, the holiday that symbolizes our people’s endurance and inflexible will, patriotism and devotion, inexhaustible optimism and unshakable faith.”

The president called the holiday “a unique message to our entire nation and all of us to remember the Motherland’s devotees, continue their unfinished work, do all the possible for consistent strengthening and developing our independent statehood.” He emphasized that the Artsakh needs “systematized, united, painstaking work and selfless dedication” for development of the state.

Primate of the Artsakh Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church Archbishop Pargev Martirosyan, Armenian National Assembly chairman Galust Sahakyan, Artsakh National Assembly chairman Ashot Ghoulyan, Prime Minister Arayik Haroutyunyan, Defense Minister Levon Mnatsakanyan and other officials partook in the event.

Sahakian receives Armenia’s President Serzh Sarkisian at the Stepanakert airport on May 7, 2017 (Photo: President of the Artsakh Republic)

Republic President Bako Sahakian Armenian President Serzh Sarkisian in the Stepanakert’s airport, who arrived in Artsakh on May 7 on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Defense Army and Shushi Liberation.

A Divine Liturgy dedicated to the Artsakh Republic Defense Army was held at the Shushi’s Ghazanchetsots Cathedral on May 7, 2017 (Photo: President of the Artsakh Republic)

Sahakian also took part in a Divine Liturgy dedicated to this occasion at the Ghazanchetsots Cathedral.

Mnatsakanyan, the Supreme Command Staff and servicemen of the Artsakh Defense Army, and other high ranking officials were present during the event.