May 21, 2007 - 19:25 AMT
NKR President: Do not believe in tales as if Lachin will be handed over to Azerbaijan
Solemn events were held in Berdzor administration town, Nagorno Karabakh, on May 18 dedicated to the 15th anniversary of liberating the Kashatagh (Lachin) corridor of NKR. President of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic Arkadi Ghukassian, Speaker of the National Assembly Ashot Ghulyan, members of cabinet and leaders of district administrations, representatives of Syunik region of Armenian participated in the events. They laid wreaths on the monument to those who died during the national-liberation movement of Karabakh.

"It is a historical day for all of us. We did not come here in vain, trying to repeat the victorious way, which our hero boys passed liberating Shoushi, then Lachin. By doing that they connected Artsakh with Armenia. I assure you we will certainly continue this way till the end. Do not believe in tales as if Kashatagh will be handed over to Azerbaijan, it will not happen. We have not liberated this territory in order to return it. We must reconstruct and develop Kashatagh. Kashatagh will always be at the center of attention of the authorities of Artsakh and Armenia," Arkadi Ghukassian said in his congratulation speech dedicated to the 15th anniversary of liberating the Kashatagh region and opening the Lachin humanitarian corridor. According to the order of NKR President a number of Kashatagh residents were awarded with various medals. The solemn events ended with fireworks, the NKR MFA Press Office reports.

In conditions of on-going blockade the Lachin corridor is the only way that connects Nagorno Karabakh with Armenia and via it - to outside world.