Ruben Vardanyan, the partner and ideologue of the “Aprelu Yerkir” party, greeted the party’s congress by remote connection from Artsakh, said: “I am sure that this congress of yours and the activity of the party will be significant both for Armenians and Artsakh citizens, as well as for all our compatriots around the world. Welcoming the new programs that were presented, and the words that were said, I want to say my word as an ordinary citizen of Artsakh who has been living in Artsakh for more than seven months. I did not prepare a speech in advance, and we needed more sincerity in discussing complicated human language issues. We all said that Artsakh is a red line for us, and I am sure that the ” Aprelu Yerkir- Land of Living” will continue its concrete, daily transparent activities because these are not just words. It is essential. We must remember that children are born, and we do everything thinking about their future so that they stay in their homeland, stay Armenian, be dignified persons, and realize their dreams in their land.
You know that I co-founded the charity movement “Aurora.” When we first talked with Nubar Afeyan and our other friends about the idea of the victim that sits inside us, that we are victims, that we can’t do anything and always depend on others who owe us something to help us, we came to believe that it is a hazardous disease. Thanks to Aurora, I met many people who showed me something; if you have values, principles, and faith in love and God, you can overcome everything. And in that sense, staying in Artsakh for seven months was very important for us. There have been many calls to unify, but there is no idea what we are uniting around. If we join around the struggle and this is a plan, we should all make something, not statements, but steps. What is the program, and how will 120 thousand people live in Artsakh? Answer: how, if you accept that Artsakh is part of Azerbaijan? We all must understand that this is a national war and that we must protect Artsakh so that it remains Armenian. And it will require victims; it will require sweat, work, and blood. There is no other way for us to stay Armenian. I promise one thing—the people who are in leadership today; If we lose Artsakh, you, your children, and your grandchildren will receive pictures of the children of Artsakh so that you will remember what you did and how you destroyed our future with your hands. But I am sure we will never allow it,” said Ruben Vardanyan.
Ashot HAKOBYAN
