Artur Vanetsyan: Artsakh issue cannot be closed

The Armenian people have already demonstrated that a secure and dignified life in their homeland is an unequivocal choice, Homeland Party leader and former NSS head Artur Vanetsyan stated at Yerevan’s Yerablur Military Pantheon on Tuesday.

Vanetsyan attended the inauguration of the Call of Artsakh memorial, where he emphasized that the sacrifices of the past must never be forgotten.

“In the 1990s, our nation proved that living safely and with dignity in our homeland has no alternative,” Vanetsyan told reporters. “The events of recent years, however, have created a new and painful reality. They are trying to convince us that this is normal. They are attempting to impose a false peace on us while pushing into oblivion our fallen heroes and the people’s sacrifices. Yet I am convinced that better days lie ahead. We must never despair and we must never forget what we once had. The Artsakh issue should remain alive in our minds and hearts.”

Vanetsyan reflected on what the day might have been under different circumstances.

“In another reality, the Armenian people would now be celebrating Artsakh’s Independence Day in Stepanakert, later visiting the military cemetery there to honor those who gave their lives for the homeland. Instead, today we stand here at Yerablur. Recently, both our adversaries and, regrettably, the Armenian authorities have taken steps aimed at permanently closing the Artsakh issue. But I am certain the issue cannot be closed. Absolutely certain. The very presence of these heroic martyrs is proof of that,” he stressed.