Armenia marking 31st anniversary of independenceSeptember 21, 2022 - 12:38 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - On September 21, Armenians throughout the world are marking the 31st anniversary of Armenia's independence. With a unanimous national vote 31 years ago, the third Republic of Armenia was established on September 21, 1991, to give the Armenian people the right to build their future, be the masters of their land and regain statehood. On September 21, 1991, a referendum on Armenia’s secession from the USSR was held, with 94.99% of the people voting for an independent and democratic Armenia. Two days later, Armenia’s Central Electoral Commission released the referendum results: 2,056,792 (94.39%) of Armenia’s 2,163,967 voters had taken part in the voting, with 2,042,617 voting for Armenia’s independence. Based on the referendum results, Armenia’s Supreme Council declared independent Armenia on September 23, 1991. This year, the nation is marking the important anniversary while also recovering from the devastating war unleashed by Azerbaijan against Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) on September 27, 2020, as well as several unprovoked major offensives against Armenia. The latest round of fighting began in the wee hours of September 13, when the Azerbaijani military attacked Armenian posts and shelled Armenian settlements both on the border and deep behind the frontline. At least 207 people are dead or missing as a result. Top stories David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. The number of state universities will be reduced from 23 to 8 by 2030, Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Zhanna Andreasyan has said. From September 21 to November 11, a total of 2,820 Russians registered at a place of residence in Armenia, the police has said. The situation on the contact line between Karabakh and Azerbaijan was relatively stable overnight, the Defense Army says. Partner news | Ucom General Director gives lecture at French University in Armenia The General Director of Ucom Ralph Yirikian delivered a lecture at the French University of Armenia. Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations. |