President of the Republic of Artsakh Bako Sahakyan congratulated the Karabakh people on the Victory Holiday, Day of the NKR Defense Army and Shushi Liberation.

"May 9 has become one of the dearest and cherished holidays for us. It symbolizes unshakeable will and victorious soul of our freedom-loving nation, selfless devotion and loyalty to our Motherland and, of course, faith in victory of goodness and kindness," reads an address of Mr. Sahakyan.

It goes on saying: "The conspicuous evidence of it was heroism of our fathers and grandfathers in the course of the Great Patriotic War. Together with other nations struggling against fascism, the brown plague of the 20th century, they saved the whole mankind from destruction.

Years later, when Artsakh found itself in the thick of the imposed war, the generations brought up by their heroic example proved to be worthy descendants of their ancestors and registered victories in the struggle of life and death. It was first of all the birth of the Defense Army, regular and efficient army, which today is the main guarantor of our independence and security. It was the liberation of Shushi that became one of the glorious victories of our people. It was also the unity and cohesion of our nation that managed to consolidate in the fatal hour and defend its freedom and independence.

The best sons of the Armenian people sacrificed their lives to achieve these victories. Eternal honor and glory to the brave sons perished in the Great Patriotic and Artsakh Liberation Wars."

Once again congratulating on the holiday, Mr. Sahakyan wished the Karabakh people peace, health and new victories in different spheres of life.