"L. Ter-Petrosyan: "Independence can't be bargained"
"L. Ter-Petrosyan: "Independence can't be bargained"
Today the Armenian National Congress marked the 19th anniversary of Armenia's independence at the park near the statue of Saryan under leadership of RA First President Levon Ter-Petrosyan.
"Let's not compare independence with anything else. For me, independence can't be bargained regardless of what kind of independence it is. Independence is above everything else," said Levon Ter-Petrosyan to "A1+".
Before Ter-Petrosyan's arrival, it was decided that everyone who wanted to speak would have a turn.
"The 2 million people who said "yes" during the Independence Referendum in 1991 are obliged to stand up for their independence today," said Chairman of the HHSh (Armenian Pan-National Movement) Aram Manukyan who announced the Declaration of Independence 19 years ago.
Actor Yervand Manaryan was also celebrating Independence Day with the Armenian National Congress. "Independence is what God gave us. We must know the value of independence and be able to maintain it. If we can't maintain it, then we don't deserve God's kindness.
According to him, happy are those Armenians who have the opportunity to celebrate Armenia's independence. "Armenians have had the longing to be independent for centuries and millennia. The people gathered here are the ones who must tell the next generation that we were the first to gather and congratulate each other on the occasion of our independence. This is an important phenomenon."
Yervand Manaryan voiced hope that the country would be celebrating its independence with the presence of political prisoners.
Chairwoman of the Social Democrat Hunchakian Party Lyudmila Sargsyan called on the attendees to not lose hope and take pride in being a participant of the struggle. "Our struggle will end with victory."
There were more people gathered near the statue of Saryan than usual.
During today's event, supporters of the Congress handed sweets to the attendees and passers-by.
