Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan today promised to hold “a large-scale colorful celebration” in Yerevan’s Republic Square on September 21 to mark the country’s 30th anniversary.

Pashinyan, at today’s government cabinet session, said that while recent events have cast a somber shadow over the country, the anniversary must be marked properly.

“This celebration will first be dedicated to the memory of the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for Armenia’s independence, security and sovereignty and for Artsakh,” Pashinyan said.