YEREVAN (ArmeniaNow) — President Serge Sargisian sought to emphasize the link between “all generations” and “all Armenians” in the accomplishment of sovereign Armenia as he addressed the nation on the 18th anniversary of independence Monday.
Describing the anniversary of the September 21, 1991 referendum in which Armenians overwhelmingly pronounced in favor of living as an independent nation as a holiday that “all generations of the Armenian nation coveted and sensed deep in their hearts,” Sargsyan emphasized that all of those generations of Armenians, without exception, were guided by the same vision: “Independent Armenia that epitomizes freedom, human and national dignity and, ultimately, the right and historical ability to create good and beauty.”
Sargisian congratulated all Armenians on the Independence Day.
“What does Armenia preach to its offspring all over the world after having resurrected from the genocidal hell? Pure and simple concepts: unity, collective will and effort, the state’s determination to pursue and protect the interests and goals of Armenians, filial love of and dedication to the homeland of all Armenians, and a happy possibility to build up the Armenia of our dreams by joint efforts. And Armenia says them: ‘Welcome back to native home,’” said Sargisian.
The address timed to the anniversary of Armenia’s independence comes at a time when Armenia is seeking to reconcile with its big neighbor and historical foe, Turkey. The majority of today’s worldwide Armenian Diaspora are descendants of survivors of the 1915-1918 Armenian Genocide in Ottoman Turkey.
Sargisian initiated a rapprochement process last September by inviting his Turkish counterpart to Yerevan on the formal occasion of watching a FIFA World Cup 2010 qualifier between the two countries’ national soccer teams. He is likely to pay a return visit to Turkey next month to attend the return match of the soccer team and likely to sign a document on establishing diplomatic relations and developing bilateral relations.
