LOS ANGELES (Combined Sources)-Nagorno-Karabakh President Bako Sahakian delivered a speech Sunday at the "Hayastan" All-Armenia Fund gala concert, where he praised the efforts of the Diaspora for ensuring that "Artsakh will never be a part of Azerbaijan."
Noting the efforts of American Armenia’s directed at developing and making Nagorno-Karabakh prosperous, Sahakian stressed the moral and humanitarian assistance of the Diaspora to the residents of Artsakh "both in the difficult years of war imposed on us by opponents, as well as today, when we continue to resist different political and diplomatic challenges,"
"We all realize that a country, which is economically developed, has an effective governance system and strong army has greater opportunities to be…recognized by the international community," said Sahakian
Noting the examples of the North-South highways and the Goris-Stepanakert highway connecting Armenia and Artsakh, Sahakian told attendees that it is very important to combine all efforts to ensure the equal development of Artsakh’s economy. Sahakian emphasized that the annual telethon has that specific focus as its aim.
"We will do the best so that those highways serve their main purpose-the development of Artsakh," the president said.
The Thanksgiving telethon is dedicated to the restoration of Martuni region where all the prerequisites for the economic development exist, noted Sahakian, adding that region has a favorable climate, necessary labor force and optimism for the future.
Sahakian also held meetings with Armenian-American benefactors on Friday where he expressed gratitude for their active participation in the annual telethons.
During the meeting with Vahe Karapetian, an American-Armenian entrepreneur and benefactor, President Sahakian expressed gratitude for his comprehensive and continuous assistance, in particular, for the considerable contribution to the construction of the road of Amaras and the technical service of highways, which are of great significance for the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh.
The interlocutors discussed a number of issues concerning the telethon as well as the development prospects of Artsakh.
Sahakian also had a meeting with Harut Sassounian, the president of the Armenian United Fund and the vice-chairman of the Lincy Foundation, where a wide range of issues concerning the social-economic and cultural development of Artsakh within the frameworks of the Armenian United Fund were discussed.
Later in the evening, Karapetian organized a dinner party in honor of the President where leaders of leaders of the traditional Armenian political parties of the western U.S., various benefactors, and clergymen attended.
