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Artsakh's former State Minister Ruben Vardanyan issued a message on the 33rd anniversary of Armenia's  Declaration of Independence marked on August 23. The message reads as follows:

"Today, Armenia marks the 33rd year since the proclamation of its independence. The Armenian people, both in Artsakh and Armenia, have undergone many difficulties and made sacrifices to achieve an independent and free statehood. Unfortunately, we continue to face numerous challenges, including the permanent threat of aggression from our neighbor, Azerbaijan, and their territorial claims that aim to undermine Armenian statehood. The right to self-determination for the people of Artsakh/NagornoKarabakh lies at the core of the proclamation of Armenian independence, and this principle must be firmly upheld by all Armenian governments.

No one described the meaning of independence better than Vazgen Sargsyan. When Sparapet was asked about independence, he said: "Independence is an absolute value. It's worth even these hard trials, even this difficult life. Independence should not even be up for discussion. It's like breathing for a person, like life, birth, and love. Independence encompasses all of this."