On September 21 Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian, who is in New York on a working visit, participated in the event dedicated to the 26th anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Armenia.

Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, the Primate of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church in the United States, and Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, Prelate of the Great House of Cilicia of the Eastern United States, prayed on the occasion of the 26th anniversary of Armenia's independence.

On the occasion of the anniversary of Independence young Armenian musicians performed works of renowned Armenian and foreign composers.

Speaking in front of the community representatives and Armenians of New York, participating at the event, Edward Nalbandian, particularly, noted:

"I am glad to welcome you again on the National Day of the Republic of Armenia in the Cathedral of New York, which is named after the commander Saint Vartan.

Nations which have consecrated military men are not many. And the fact that the Armenian Church has consecrated Vartan Mamikonyan says a lot. Commander Vartan sacrificed his life for the sake of faith, for the faith not only in a spiritual sense, but in the name of belief, that an Armenian should live with dignity on his land.

This very belief has accompanied Armenian people through all the cliffs of our history. This belief is guiding the newly independent Republic of Armenia for more than a quarter century. This belief gives strength to the Armenian soldier to resist the atrocities of the enemy detached from reality, for the sake of faith that an Armenian should live with dignity in his land. Last April came to testify that in a cumulative consciousness of our nation new Armenian heroes are the devotional sons of Saint Vartan.

Each our day, each step we take carries that unshakable faith in the future. It accompanies an Armenian everywhere: whether in Armenia, in Artsakh, or in Diaspora. And today, your presence here is another vivid proof of that.

The opening speech of the President of the Republic of Armenia at the 6th Pan-Armenian Forum was also aimed at the future: to use the forum as a platform, where, as a result of discussions held in the spirit of unity and pluralism, new programmes aimed at future development and strengthening of Armenia, Artsakh and Diaspora would be drawn.

Throughout the quarter century of our independence, each and every September 21 has been a specific test on the path of strengthening the new Armenian statehood.

Today, when in a large family of nations and states the Republic of Armenia has passed the test of the time, gaining an image of a credible partner, today, when we already have a well-established statehood, more favorable conditions to address the common issues of our future, the efforts and contributions of each and every of us are of great importance for Armenia, for the sake of our common future and the belief that an Armenian should live in dignity and safety on his land.

Dear Friends,

Probably for all nations the Independence Day is of special importance, but there is one circumstance which makes Armenians different from everyone. Our National Day is celebrated not in one, but in more than one hundred countries, on four continents, in all corners of the world, where there is at least one person, who identifies himself or herself as an Armenian, as a part of the nation, which have a rich culture and history coming from the depths of millennia, whose independent homeland is still 26 years old.

Happy Independence Day.

Glory to the Armenian people.

Long live the Republic of Armenia! "