Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and his spouse Anna Hakobyan arrived in the Republic of Artsakh where they took part in the festivities dedicated to the Great Patriotic War Victory Day, Artsakh Defense Army Formation Day and Shushi Liberation Day.

The Prime Minister and his souse were met by incumbent President of the Republic of Artsakh Bako Sahakyan and President-elect Arayik Haroutunyan with their spouses at the airport of Stepanakert.

The top leadership of Armenia and Artsakh visited the Stepanakert Memorial Complex, where they laid wreaths and flowers at the monument to the soldiers killed in the Great Patriotic War and the liberation of Shushi.

The Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia and Mrs. Anna Hakobyan next called at the Fraternal Cemetery of the soldiers killed during the liberation of Artsakh. They laid flowers and paid tribute to perished Armenian freedom-fighters.

Afterwards, the two Armenian states’ high-ranking officials laid flowers at the Tank Memorial and the Monument of Vazgen Sargsyan in Shushi.

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Later on Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan joined Bako Sahakyan and Arayik Haroutunyan to visit a pellet-based boiler house in the new district of Stepanakert. The Premier got acquainted with the facility’s operations and discussed the possibility of organizing pellet heating in the region.

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RA Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan today met with Artsakh President Bako Sahakyan in Stepanakert.

Welcoming Prime Minister Pashinyan, Bako Sahakyan noted: “Shortly after assuming the office of Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia in 2018, you visited the Republic of Artsakh. The presence of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia on this occasion makes the Triple Holiday especially valuable. Earlier today, we had the opportunity to once again pay tribute to the memory of our perished heroes. On this day we also honor all those who dedicated their lives and contributed to the liberation of our Motherland.

Today a large army of citizens continue to develop and improve our Motherland. Traditionally, we use our meetings to sum up the work done in the previous period, and visit the Armed Forces. And today you and I will visit the Armed Forces of the Republic of Artsakh, and I am more than confident that our recent work and given assignments will become an additional proof that our Motherland is protected, the defenders of our Motherland conscientiously perform their patriotic duties, thus creating additional opportunities to increase the efficiency of our work for the future.

Later today we will visit several economic entities that keep running successfully owing to our joint efforts. I am convinced that the joint work will provide a solid groundwork for the furtherance of our national potential. I am pleased to welcome you and congratulations on the Triple Holiday.”

In turn, Prime Minister Pashinyan noted: “Dear Mr. President, I congratulate all of us on our Triple Holiday, and especially on the Day of Shushi Liberation. For the third year now we have been celebrating this glorious holiday together in Stepanakert, and I think it is a very good tradition, which has a deep content.

Presidential and parliamentary elections were recently held in Artsakh, and I would also like to congratulate you on this occasion. Soon the new president will take office, but I would like to thank you for our joint work during this time. I am confident that we will have new occasions and opportunities to discuss and implement the programs planned during this period.

I wish to state that despite the pandemic, I see Artsakh and Stepanakert from an optimistic perspective. Our common and national goal is that every May 9 be marked with greater festivity in Artsakh, Armenia and by Armenians worldwide: we have a more optimistic vision of the future, and we are more confident in today’s day. I am confident that this will be the case because our nation has a huge potential. In fact, only a small part of that potential has actually been materialized, and the May 9 Victory and Shushi Liberation instill confidence in our abilities, in our present and future. We all have a collective and common duty before our fallen heroes. We must fulfill this duty with honor and repay the debt tenfold to their descendants. Congratulations on the Triple Holiday!”

The interlocutors discussed issues of further cooperation between the governments of Armenia and Artsakh during the meeting.

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Accompanied by incumbent President of the Republic of Artsakh Bako Sahakyan, President-elect of Artsakh Arayik Haroutunyan, and Minister of Defense, Defense Army Commander Jalal Haroutunyan, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and his spouse Anna Hakobyan visited several military units and border positions.

The heads of the two Armenian states were introduced to engineering and fortification infrastructures, new defense technologies and armaments. They were briefed on the ongoing activities aimed at achieving enhanced service security and upgrading military equipment.

Nikol Pashinyan, Bako Sahakyan and Arayik Haroutunyan talked to the soldiers to get acquainted with servicemen’s living standards and service conditions. They visited one of the Defense Army’s military units where a new food system was introduced just a few days ago.

After inspecting the menu and the quality of food, the Prime Minister emphasized that the new army catering system was a successful undertaking. Nikol Pashinyan stressed the need for continued development of the Armed Forces and the military industry.

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The leaders of Armenia and Artsakh next visited a number of local farms and a vegetable oil production plant. In particular, corn crops and pomegranate gardens with drip irrigation system were presented to Nikol Pashinyan. The responsible persons presented to the Prime Minister the details of the introduction of the drip irrigation system, its efficiency and the planned programs for the expansion of areas under crops and gardens with such a system in Artsakh.

The Premier welcomed the ongoing efforts to develop modern agriculture in Artsakh and emphasized the importance of close cooperation between governments and the implementation of joint activities in this direction.

Nikol Pashinyan also visited the vegetable oil production plant in Tagavard village of Martuni region of Artsakh to get acquainted with its activities and upcoming programs. The production process is organized with modern German equipment on the basis of local raw materials. The output is being marketed in Artsakh and Armenia. Strong with more than 70 employees, the company is going to expand its activities in the near future owing to new investment programs.