President Serzh Sarkisian of Armenia and President Bako Sahakian of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic

President of the Republic of Armenia Serzh Sarkisian and President of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic Bako Sahakian both sent condolence letters today in response to Armenian billionaire and philanthropist Kirk Kerkorian’s passing.

Kerkorian, a long-time supporter of development projects both in Armenia and Artsakh who was awarded the Medal of Fatherland and the title of “National Hero of Armenia” in 2005, passed away on June 16, 2015 at the age of 98.

President Serzh Sarkisian released the following message:

It was with great sorrow that I learned of the passing away of the great Armenian benefactor Kirk Kerkorian, the National Hero of Armenia.

I am sure everybody in Armenia, Artsakh and the diaspora share this sorrow. As an entrepreneur and businessman, he became a legend already in his lifetime and enjoyed international acclaim, setting an example of a revived Armenian and of a hard-working, wise, kind and modest man.

It was his Lincy Foundation that backed the Armenian people during hard times, helping them to overcome difficulties and embark on their path to development. The projects implemented by the foundation gave a breath of powerful fresh air to Armenia’s economy, seriously changing the nature of our country.

I strongly belief that the bright memory of the great Armenian and the National Hero of Armenia will live forever, and our people will remember him with a sense of pride and gratitude.

I condole with all of us in this great loss.

Nagorno-Karabakh Republic President Bako Sahakian also sent a condolence letter to Kerkorian’s family, the Central Information Department of the Office of the President reported. The letter reads as follows:

Artsakh and the whole Armenian people experienced severe pain having heard the grave news about the death of Kirk Kirkoryan.

Kirk Kirkoryan was an outstanding person. His life was full of hardship and difficulties, which he overcame due to his painstaking work, unshakeable will and optimism. He became world-famous of whom the Armenian nation is so proud.

Kirk Kirkoryan had a substantial input in developing and strengthening our independent statehood, solving issues of pan-Armenian significance. Numerous strategically important programs were implemented in Armenia and Artsakh with his immediate assistance, programs that have had a tangible impact on improving socioeconomic situation in the Motherland.

Kirk Kirkoryan’s patriotic activity was highly estimated by the Armenian people and he occupied his worthy place among the national philanthropists.

On behalf of the Artsakh people and authorities and on my own behalf, I express my condolences and support to the family of Kirk Kirkoryan, his relatives and friends in connection with this irretrievable loss. The memory of the nation’s deserved son will always remain bright in our hearts.