RA Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan sent a congratulatory message on the occasion of the 32nd anniversary of the adoption of the RA Declaration of Independence.

“Dear people, dear compatriots,

Today marks the 32nd anniversary of the adoption of the RA Independence Declaration.  The Declaration adopted by the Supreme Council on August 23, 1991 states that the Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic is beginning the process of establishing an independent state.

That started process de jure ended with the independence referendum on September 21, 1991 and the recognition of the Republic of Armenia by the international community.  De facto, that process has not ended until today, not because we don’t have independence, but because independence is like health, which even if you have it, you have to take care of every day.

The government is fighting for the independence of the Republic of Armenia every day.

Independence is security for us. The international structures that provide that security, are cracking before all of us, and unfortunately, that crack was to be expressed in Nagorno Karabakh first.

Independence means regulated relations with neighbors.  Although we have excellent relations with some of our neighbors, there is no significant progress in our relations with others, because they demand too much from us, or they think that we are demanding too much from them.

Independence is a strong alliance for us, but allies are not always allies of you, but of those who ally against you.

Independence is confrontation, and for the sake of our independence and statehood, we must have the will to confront ourselves, our history and worldview.

Independence is a mindset, a state-centric mindset, and the absence of this squanders sovereignty, security, the future.

Independence is freedom, and the people created an independent state in order to feel free and safe there.

Independence is education, and until every child living in the remotest village has the same access to education as in the center of the capital, we must work hard for our future.

Independence is a rule of law. Respecting the law and not circumventing it should be a mark of superiority.  Independence is work, the kind of work that should create and create and not waste and spoil.

Independence is similar to the biblical parable that says – whoever has, to him will be given, and whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.

And therefore, if we have Independence, we will have Independence.

I congratulate everyone on August 23.”