On September 21, Arayik Harutyunyan, President of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) issued a message on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of Armenia's independence. The message reads:
“Today, the entire Armenian people mark one of the most important state holidays, Independence Day, which opened a new page in the history of Mother Armenia, bringing to fruition the long-standing dream of Armenians: to have a free, independent and sovereign state.
September 21, 1991 became the beginning of a complicated and difficult process of state building, as well as the formation of a new legal, economic, security system.
The 44-day war became a major test for the Armenian statehood, resulting in many human and territorial losses. However, I am convinced we will overcome this test as well, and with purposeful efforts strengthen the foundations of the statehood.
Strong and developing Armenia has no alternative.”