B. Sahakyan Delivered speech at “Telethon-2011” Gala Dinner Party

Artsakh Republic President Bako Sahakyan Delivered speech at the “Telethon - 2011” Gala Dinner Party. In particular he said:

“Dear compatriots, brothers and sisters,

I am glad of having an opportunity to meet with you once again and render the warmest greetings and wishes of the Artsakh people.

I would also like to express gratitude to the organizers of this traditional meeting, all of you, our compatriots from the Diaspora for continuously supporting and assisting Artsakh.

You were with us during the hard years of war when we struggled and defended our ancestor’s land against the enemy exceeding us in numbers and armaments. You were with us after the war when we had to restore our devastated country and recover from the pain of hardships and losses. Today you are also with us when we build modern, democratic and steadily developing state that bravely moves towards the future.

I am more than confident that this future will be bright, prosperous and victorious, that our tomorrow will be better that today. I am confident because our people do deserve it. I am confident because we have firm will and united spirit to achieve it, we have a powerful army of such patriots as you. This is our people’s virtue and wealth, which we have to preserve and strengthen. It is the duty of every Armenian.

I have told that Artsakh today embarked on the path of stable development. These are not just words. As a result of some reforms we have registered stable economic growth that substantially exceeds the indices of the previous years. Due to large-scale activities in a number of spheres we eliminated such vicious phenomena as bribery and corruption. We have created a favorable investment climate that provides an opportunity to establish mutually beneficial partnership relations with different leading international companies.

Dear friends,

Your contribution to our successes is invaluable. Numerous schools, kindergartens, medical institutions, dwelling houses and roads have been built through the channels of the "Hayastan" All-Armenian fund. During the last 3 years 66 communities have been provided with water. In general, about 470 kilometers of water supply network has been put into operation. More than 4,3 billion Drams have been spent on the realization of this program, 60 percent of which was financed by the "Hayastan" All-Armenian fund.

I should also mention that there is still much to do and there are issues demanding immediate solution. Among the most important issues Artsakh faces is still the water issue. This year we plan to continue the water system improvement program in the republic. Efficient usage and protection of water resources are among the pivotal directions of strengthening the Artsakh statehood. The role of this component is difficult to overestimate. It has political, economic and social significance. Water is such a strategic resource and its role in the international politics is steadily increasing. And we have gigantic unused resources of this wealth.

Dear compatriots,

I call all of you to partake at the Telethon-2011 with the same energy and enthusiasm being deeply convinced that every Dram donated by you will contribute to the development and strengthening of Artsakh, improving living conditions of the population.

The idea of supporting and assisting one another, fulfilling our sacred duty towards our country and people should unite and lead us to new victories and new achievements.”