Armenia marks 20 years of independence
21.09.2011,
18:59
The Armenian people are celebrating September 21 the 20th anniversary of independence. On this day in 1991 the Supreme Soviet (parliament) of the republic held a referendum on secession from the USSR and the creation of an independent state.
YEREVAN, September 21. / ARKA /. The Armenian people are celebrating September 21 the 20th anniversary of independence. On this day in 1991 the Supreme Soviet (parliament) of the republic held a referendum on secession from the USSR and the creation of an independent state. About 99% of eligible citizens vote for independence. Officially, the independence was declared by the parliament on 23 September.
Festivities to mark the 20th anniversary will be held throughout the country, including an unprecedented military parade in Yerevan. Thousands of visitors from abroad, including hundreds of ethnic Armenians from tens of countries have arrived in Yerevan to take part in the festive events.
The present-day Armenia is referred to as Third Republic. It was preceded by the short-lived First Republic (1918-1920 ) and the Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic (1920-1991). The Armenian statehood has been restored as a result of centuries-old struggle of the people for their existence and preservation of national identity.
After the fall of the Armenian states in their historical territories in XI-XII centuries an independent Armenian statehood was reborn out of Armenia in Cilicia. The Cilician Armenian kingdom was one of the most developed states of the Mediterranean, lasting until the late 14th century. Over the years, Armenia was the scene of bloody wars of empires and nations, surviving the massacres and the first genocide of the XX century.
The Karabakh movement crowned the national liberation struggle of the Armenian people at the end of the 20-th century, growing into a large-scale hostilities with Azerbaijan that ended in May 1994 with the signing of the ceasefire agreement between Nagorno-Karabakh, Armenia and Azerbaijan. The newly independent Armenia inherited a heavy legacy - the war in Karabakh, the blockade, the devastating 1988 earthquake, the economic devastation caused by the collapse of the Soviet Union and the loss of economic relations between the Soviet republics. But beginning from the second half of 90s the country started to restore the destroyed economy and to carry out an active foreign policy.
"We've earned our independence, proving to all and ourselves that we are entitled to live in our land by our rules and our values," president Serzh Sargsyan said.
Armenia is Russia's strategic ally and an active member of the CSTO. But it also effectively cooperates with the European countries, USA, China, the leading nations of Asia, Africa and Latin America.
On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of Armenia’s independence, President Serzh Sargsyan has been receiving congratulations from the leaders of other states, reputable international organizations, and individuals. In his message president of the Russian Federation Dmitry Medvedev states that over these years Armenia has achieved visible success in the economic and social areas and built up its reputation on the international arena.
“Today we successfully develop multifaceted relations in the spirit of strong partnership. Through our joint efforts we open new perspective directions for cooperation in trade, economic, investment, humanitarian and other areas. I hope that you upcoming visit to Russia in October will give a strong impetus to further development of our many-sided relations,’ he said.
In his congratulatory message of President Barack Obama says the USA pay tribute to the historic bonds between the two countries that began long before Armenia achieved its independence.
“As a nation that has been enriched by the contributions of generations of Americans of Armenian ancestry, the United States is proud to walk along the path with you toward further democratization, prosperity and peace. The partnership between the United States and Armenia is strong and the friendship between our peoples is enduring. Please accept my best wishes as you celebrate your national day.”
Today Armenia’s major objectives are the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, finding solutions to social problems and advancement of knowledge-based economy. -0-
Festivities to mark the 20th anniversary will be held throughout the country, including an unprecedented military parade in Yerevan. Thousands of visitors from abroad, including hundreds of ethnic Armenians from tens of countries have arrived in Yerevan to take part in the festive events.
The present-day Armenia is referred to as Third Republic. It was preceded by the short-lived First Republic (1918-1920 ) and the Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic (1920-1991). The Armenian statehood has been restored as a result of centuries-old struggle of the people for their existence and preservation of national identity.
After the fall of the Armenian states in their historical territories in XI-XII centuries an independent Armenian statehood was reborn out of Armenia in Cilicia. The Cilician Armenian kingdom was one of the most developed states of the Mediterranean, lasting until the late 14th century. Over the years, Armenia was the scene of bloody wars of empires and nations, surviving the massacres and the first genocide of the XX century.
The Karabakh movement crowned the national liberation struggle of the Armenian people at the end of the 20-th century, growing into a large-scale hostilities with Azerbaijan that ended in May 1994 with the signing of the ceasefire agreement between Nagorno-Karabakh, Armenia and Azerbaijan. The newly independent Armenia inherited a heavy legacy - the war in Karabakh, the blockade, the devastating 1988 earthquake, the economic devastation caused by the collapse of the Soviet Union and the loss of economic relations between the Soviet republics. But beginning from the second half of 90s the country started to restore the destroyed economy and to carry out an active foreign policy.
"We've earned our independence, proving to all and ourselves that we are entitled to live in our land by our rules and our values," president Serzh Sargsyan said.
Armenia is Russia's strategic ally and an active member of the CSTO. But it also effectively cooperates with the European countries, USA, China, the leading nations of Asia, Africa and Latin America.
On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of Armenia’s independence, President Serzh Sargsyan has been receiving congratulations from the leaders of other states, reputable international organizations, and individuals. In his message president of the Russian Federation Dmitry Medvedev states that over these years Armenia has achieved visible success in the economic and social areas and built up its reputation on the international arena.
“Today we successfully develop multifaceted relations in the spirit of strong partnership. Through our joint efforts we open new perspective directions for cooperation in trade, economic, investment, humanitarian and other areas. I hope that you upcoming visit to Russia in October will give a strong impetus to further development of our many-sided relations,’ he said.
In his congratulatory message of President Barack Obama says the USA pay tribute to the historic bonds between the two countries that began long before Armenia achieved its independence.
“As a nation that has been enriched by the contributions of generations of Americans of Armenian ancestry, the United States is proud to walk along the path with you toward further democratization, prosperity and peace. The partnership between the United States and Armenia is strong and the friendship between our peoples is enduring. Please accept my best wishes as you celebrate your national day.”
Today Armenia’s major objectives are the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, finding solutions to social problems and advancement of knowledge-based economy. -0-
