It is possible to lose the battle, but it is inadmissible to lose as a nation. Address by the President of the Republic of Armenia Armen Sarkissian

Dear compatriots in Armenia, Artsakh and in the Diaspora,

Armenians all over the world are currently experiencing one of the most crucial moments in the millennial history of our nation.

The goals we were striving for nationwide after the long-desired independence of the Motherland have been shaken.

We lost the war that was imposed on us, both on the battlefield, and in the diplomatic and international public arenas.
Once again, I offer my condolences to the families and relatives of those who fell, and wish the injured a speedy recovery.

We are the offsprings of people who survived the Genocide and overcame it.

The battle can be lost, but it is inadmissible to lose as a nation.

The house burned down with one's own hands and the lost homeland can be restored in only one way, rediscovering our victory and building the state, of which we will all be truly proud.

And we can surely do it, soberly assessing the situation, learning from the mistakes made, and harnessed to the national revival in a consolidated way.

Whatever the differences in our assessments of the past are, it is obvious that we are facing unprecedented problems.

Artsakh is heavily wounded.

We have an intensely turbulent society.

The injured economy is burdened with immense social problems.

There is a humanitarian catastrophe as a result of the large flow of people transferred from Artsakh to Armenia.

The situation caused by the epidemic is also too complicated.

In the end, the Armenian spirit is hurt in any corner of the world.

Our country today is no longer the country we had on September 26, it is not even what we had on November 8.

We cannot ignore this reality and continue to live a usual life.

During the last few days, consonant with the imperative of the moment, I have held dozens of political consultations, meetings with parliamentary and extra-parliamentary forces, various non-governmental organizations, and individuals. I have also had telephone conversations with our compatriots from different structures of the Diaspora.

The absolute majority of the participants in the meeting agree on one issue: the Prime Minister’s resignation or termination of office in accordance with the Constitution, and early parliamentary elections.

It is obvious that despite the cessation of the war, the Republic of Artsakh, the Republic of Armenia and the entire Armenian people are entering a period of new trials in which every mistake can bring forth disastrous consequences.

In the current situation, there is no alternative for the Armenian people than to be united and consolidated.

These days, each of us, especially politicians and government officials, must show a high level of responsibility and restraint, focusing their efforts exclusively on finding ways to overcome this crisis.

In this situation, I want to turn to law enforcement agencies.

You have a great responsibility today, first of all to ensure order in our country, to be strong and determined, but at the same time, remembering that in front of you is your sister or brother, every time, and on every occasion.

Any deviation, any violation of the law, is unacceptable and unforgivable. I call on you to uphold and protect the law and legality.

My observations based on the meetings and consultations are as follows:

Taking into consideration the current situation and the imperative to overcome it with dignity, also listening to the public demand, it is obvious that in order to keep the country from jolting, early elections to the National Assembly will be inevitable.

In this context, in my opinion, the only responsible approach may be that the government and the dominant political force objectively assessed their potential and presented a roadmap in a short period of time, which will provide deadlines for initiating relevant constitutional processes, allowing early parliamentary elections. Meanwhile, governing will be handed over to the highly qualified Government of National Accord.

For the Republic of Armenia, the Republic of Artsakh and the entire Armenian people living in different countries of the world, my above-mentioned observations aimed at overcoming the crisis in these difficult days are based exclusively on national interests.

I hope that all the political forces will realize the responsibility of the moment, and will befittingly fulfill their part of the historical mission.

I would like to remind you that today everyone is following the events Armenia, both our friends and our enemies.

We have no other duty but to make our country powerful.

We have no other path but to consolidate the people without paying tribute to any word or step that threatens to divide the society.

Only through unity will we be able to straighten up our backs stooped under the burden of defeat and to appear to ourselves and future generations and the world community as the sons and daughters of a nation impossible to defeat.

I am confident that the Armenian people will emerge from the difficult situation with honour and victory.

God bless us all.