Former Armenia President Robert Kocharian commented on his decision to resign as Artsakh President to take the post of Prime Minister of Armenia in 1997.

In an interview with the Public Television of Artsakh, several months after he assumed the presidential duties, he was offered the post in Armenia. “It was not an easy decision taken in a hard period for Armenia,” he said.

Asked to comment on Artsakh’s future, Kocharian said, “All depends on the quality of our work. We must remember independence should be gained but not received as a gift. I can’t promise a brilliant future but I think everything will be all right.”