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Armenian Assembly Receives Nagorno Karabakh’s Medal of Gratitude
Republic of Nagorno Karabakh Medal of Gratitude and Certificate for the Armenian Assembly of America.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly) congratulates the Nagorno Karabakh Republic’s (NKR) on its 25 years of independence. On September 2, 1991, the legislature of the Nagorno Karabakh autonomous region and adjacent Shahumyan district declared the formation of the NKR, reversing Joseph Stalin’s arbitrary 1921 decision to include the ancient Armenian province of Artsakh under then newly-created Soviet Azerbaijan.
“On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the independence of the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh, the Armenian Assembly of America extends our heartfelt congratulations to all the people of Artsakh,"Assembly Board of Trustees Co-Chairs Anthony Barsamian and Van Krikorian and Assembly President Carolyn Mugar stated in a letter to President Bako Sahakyan. "The recent atrocities and attacks led by Azerbaijani President Aliyev and others in clear violation of international agreements and every standard of good conscience are constant reminders of the risks we face. The Armenian Assembly continues advocating for your freedom and security. There can be no lasting solution unless your government participates in the Minsk Group negotiations and people in Artsakh democratically approve any negotiated solution. If, as recently announced, in fact, the Minsk Group co-chair countries of France, Russia, and the United States guarantee your security as part of a peace agreement you approve, we will support it and work to ensure its success. Considering the threats, however, we understand that you will need more than that to deal with the risks.”
Since gaining independence in 1991, the NKR has defended its freedom on the battlefield and developed a stable democracy with a viable civil society and developing market economy. Artsakh continues to adhere to the universal values of human rights and civil liberties as a sovereign democracy and reliable member of the international community, despite ongoing threats of renewed aggression from Azerbaijan.
“In modern Armenian life, Nagorno-Karabakh has embodied both the hardships and victories that we consider the best characteristics of the Armenian nation and which truly create family bonds. The courage, character, honesty, democracy, resilience, good will, faith, and respect that people in Artsakh have shown since the independence movement began have been inspirational and it has been our privilege to support your right to determine your own future from the beginning,” Barsamian, Krikorian, and Mugar told the President of Artsakh.
Since 1997, the Assembly has hosted in Washington, D.C. the Office of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic in the United States. The Assembly will continue its efforts to assist the flourishing Republic and it democratic governance.
Acknowledging the Assembly’s efforts, President Sahakyan awarded the Assembly with Artsakh’s Medal of Gratitude for its “significant contribution in restoring and developing economy, science, culture, social spheres of the NKR as well as for defending and promoting international recognition of the Republic.”
“It was such an honor to accept Artsakh’s Medal of Gratitude on behalf of the Armenian Assembly, and an even greater honor to be here alongside such distinguished individuals. I am grateful to be among soldiers and the members of the Armed Forces who unified Armenians around the world and truly care for Artsakh,” Assembly Regional Director Arpi Vartanian said. “Congratulations to the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh on 25 years of successful nation-building and your strong commitment to democracy. The Assembly will continue to stand with and support Artsakh in the years to come.”
Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a non-partisan, 501©(3) tax-exempt membership organization.
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