On February 19, 2018, Bako Sahakyan, the President of the Republic of Artsakh awarded a group of Artsakh movement activists to medals and honors on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the Artsakh Movement and for their services to the homeland. Academician Ashot Melkonyan, Director of the NAS RA Institute of History, was awarded the Medal of Vachagan the Pious (Vachagan Barepasht).