Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan has issued a message on the Day of Remembrance and Reverence for Those Who Died Defending the Homeland.
“Dear people, dear citizens of the Republic of Armenia,
Today is the Day of Remembrance and Reverence for Those Who Died Defending the Homeland. It was established by the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia on the eve of Armenia's Army Day, and citizens have already begun to refer to January 27 as the Day of the Heavenly Army.
There is great love in this popular formulation. In our reality, there is great love for the martyrs who gave their lives for the homeland, and a great sense of responsibility. Every fallen soldier becomes a member of each of our families, because of the clear understanding that he died for us, for each and every one of us.
Pashinyan stated that while the national day of remembrance is an expression of reverence, it also increases the responsibility to ensure that the sacrifices of the martyrs are not in vain. He said that, following the hardships faced by the country, the government has continuously sought ways to make those sacrifices life-giving rather than destructive.
"A clear and unequivocal answer has been given to this question: our martyrs fell so that the Republic of Armenia could rise,” he said.
Pashinyan noted that the state-the developed, strong, safe, prosperous, and happy Republic of Armenia-is the most significant and visible monument that perpetuates the memory of the martyrs.
He stressed that ensuring the continuity of the Republic of Armenia, strengthening statehood and its institutions, turning the state into an effective instrument for citizens' security and well-being, reinforcing independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the inviolability of the country’s borders, as well as the continuous development of the earthly army, are the tasks that will allow the nation to look to the sky, to its heavenly army, and receive a smile in return.
“My dear brothers and sisters, you have not fallen in vain. Your sacrifice has created a new consciousness. It has opened our eyes, clarified our minds, and strengthened our will to reinforce our state and follow a state-centered path toward prosperity, security, happiness, and peace for the Republic of Armenia and its citizens.
Through tears, we smile at you, bow to your relatives, and kneel before you.
Long live the Republic of Armenia.”
