‘What I saw at the torchlight procession gives me hope that the struggle continues and the Armenian people have not given up’ — Hayk Khalatyan

The torchlight procession in Yerevan gave hope that the struggle continues and the Armenian people have not given up, Hayk Khalatyan, editor-in-chief of the news agency in Moscow, told Alpha News.

“Before going to Republic Square, I was afraid that due to the weather conditions there would be few people at the torchlight procession, but to my joy, the square was full. The most important thing for me was that there were a lot of young people—it gives me hope. As was declared before the flags of Azerbaijan and Turkey were burned, the struggle must go on, and these young individuals are living proof of that. Often, when we look at the events in Armenia from the outside, we fear that the society is resigned, ready to give up. But what I saw at the torchlight procession gives me hope that the struggle continues, the nation does not give up and is ready to fight for its rights,” Khalatyan noted.

Speaking about Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s participation in the celebrations in Russia on May 9, he noted, “Pashinyan will certainly take part in the festivities. However, knowing that the Azerbaijani military will participate in the parade, as an Armenian, I would very much like to see our soldiers present as well—especially when we recall the tremendous contribution of the Armenian people to the victory in the Great Patriotic War. It is true that Pashinyan did not participate in the parade last year, but now, realizing that this is the anniversary year and leaders of different countries, even prime ministers of a number of EU countries will gather, he will definitely take part in the event.”