Pashinyan apologizes to Armenians for past and future mistakes

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan emphasized the need to affirm Armenia's independence daily through actions and commitment.

In a message marking Independence Day, he reflected on the numerous challenges the country has faced since 1991, including wars, significant casualties, blockades, and political and economic crises that led to widespread emigration, Cailber.Az reports citing Armenian media.

Pashinyan stated, “The question raised at the referendum on independence in 1991 needs a daily answer. It should be answered not only at the polling station but also with our daily behaviour and activity.” He noted that the goal of the 2018 revolution was to strengthen independence and statehood based on international law.

He acknowledged, “Mistakes were made along the way,” and highlighted the critical situation in 2020, when the country was on the brink of losing statehood, saying that the “strategy of ‘Real Armenia’ made it possible to realize the theoretical thesis of the country's long-term independence.”

“I bow to those people who said 'yes' and are saying 'yes' to the independence referendum. I love and am proud of them. And I apologize for all the obvious and possible mistakes we have made and, speaking between us, we will still make them because it is inherent in human beings to make mistakes,” Pashinyan added.

He stressed that the referendum on independence is ongoing, stating, “Those who pay taxes and  answer ‘yes’ to it; those who don't pay taxes answer 'no'; those who work honestly answer ‘yes’ and those who take bribes answer ‘no’; those who observe the law answer 'yes' and those who self-assert themselves by not observing it answer 'no.’”

Pashinyan concluded by highlighting the importance of not losing sight of the goal: “We must preserve the independence of the Republic of Armenia on its internationally recognized 29,743 square kilometres of territory, where the state must ensure the security, freedom, and well-being of its citizens.”