"Land defenders will always stand by Artsakh's side"
Leader of the RA Volunteer Land Defenders' Union, Artsakh hero, general-lieutenant Manvel Grigoryan has delivered a message and we present it in its entirety:
"On the occasion of Land Defenders' Day, the formation of the NKR defense army, the 19th anniversary of Shushi's liberation, the 66th anniversary of Armenians' victory in the Great Patriotic War and all celebrations in May, on behalf of the Volunteer Land Defenders' Union, I would like to congratulate all Armenians in Armenia, Artsakh and the Diaspora, our men defending the border, all participants of the Artsakh war, fighters of the 5th brigade, mothers who lost their sons, our sisters, land defender-freedom fighters, my friends in combat and young land defenders. I congratulate our beloved veterans of the Great Patriotic War whose heroic acts and victory was transmitted to the land defenders of our generation. Land Defenders' Day is a day of pride for Armenians since we Armenians admire strong Armrenians who defend their dignity, the family and the native land. The new geopolitical developments are creating serious problems for the people and the country. We are obliged to do everything possible to maintain what we have gained at the price of our heroic boys' lives. The image of a land defender was shaped in the last war that was imposed on our people and it became the image of Armenians who defend the land and maintain what they have achieved.
Land defenders have always stood by the side of the people of Artsakh. The fate of land defenders and Artsakh are intertwined and we will never let it become a subject for discussion and call into question the Artsakh people's sovereignty and the fact that they have been independent for 20 years.
Armenians have always maintained their dignity at the price of their children's lives, but our achievements of our people have often given way to diplomatic games. The land defenders who have learned their lesson from history are determined and will not let history repeat itself.
We have been independent for 20 years now. Our independent country has come a long way. Many issues have been solved and there are still more issues, which will be solved through national unity.
Great Armenian, everlasting leader of the Volunteer Land Defenders' Union, Commander-in-Chief Vazgen Sargsyan said ‘Unity will move mountains'. Our national holidays and victories are the result of our unity. If we appreciate ourselves and unite, foreigners will take our will into account. We are certain that the issues solved through unity fall in line with the modern world standards of justice and legitimacy and will be finally affirmed by the international community. Let's believe in ourselves, the power of our unity and the new generation. The important thing is not to have, but to maintain what we have gained and transmit that to the generations to come. With that purpose, we have declared the 20th anniversary of Armenia's independence as the Year of Young and Teenage Land Defenders, that is, the year of confiding in the new generation. In this 20th year of independence, I would like to once again congratulate land defender-freedom fighters on the occasion of all celebrations in May and wish you all peace, mutual tolerance and unity," as stated in the message.
