Despite Shushi being under Azerbaijani control today, it should be an important symbol of Armenian renaissance: Ararat Mirzoyan

The Speaker of the National Assembly of Armenia, Ararat Mirzoyan, issued a message on the occasion of May 9, stating: "May 9, 2021, the first since the aggression unleashed by Azerbaijan and Turkey on September 27, is difficult to commemorate the way the holiday has been recognized for many years. Nevertheless, we must pay tribute to our grandfathers who participated in the Great Patriotic War and to our fathers and brothers who were involved in the First Artsakh War and the liberation of Shushi.

Armenian Shushi has been and continues to be one of the important pillars of Armenian identity for many years. Today, even though Shushi is under Azerbaijani control, it should serve as one of the most significant symbols of the Armenian renaissance. The Republic of Armenia must continue negotiations within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmanship to achieve recognition of the right to self-determination for the people of Artsakh and the restoration of Artsakh's territorial integrity."