Artsakh Continues Strengthening Its Foreign Ties

• 03.18.2016, 18:04
• Greta Avetisyan
•  Europe,  "Insight" Analytical Center ,  World,  NKR

Despite the continuing tension on the borders and "no war, no peace" situation, the authorities of Nagorno-Karabakh Republic not only consistently strengthen the democratic institutions in the country, but also develop the country's foreign relations.

In this sense only at the beginning of March, a number of developments have occurred. The participation of Artsakh representative as an observer in the 3 state parliamentary elections in Germany on March 13 was quite noteworthy. The spokesman of "Free Motherland" party of Artsakh Vahram Poghosyan carried out an observation mission in Baden-Württemberg. In fact, this was the first such mission in the European elections by Artsakh, which ones more reiterated and proved with practical example the loyalty of Artsakh and its people to European values.

The fact that Artsakh is really close to European democratic values, was emphasized during the visit of the parliamentary delegation of the Kingdom of Belgium to NKR. The member of the Flemish Parliament Karim Overmeyere assured, that Artsakh is a castle not only for Armenia, but also for Europe, underlining the importance of implementing long-term joint projects.

Questions of carrying out investment and charitable projects were discussed and concrete agreements were reached in Lebanon. On March 12-15, the NKR Prime Minister Arayik Harutyunyan was in Lebanon, who held several meetings with Armenian and foreign investors.

In the International Tourism Fair ITB Berlin 2016 held on March 9-13 NKR was presented with a separate pavilion, presenting visitors with information on Artsakh, as well as distributing them literature on the sightseeings of Artsakh, films, CDs about Artsakh and maps. Artsakh's participation and interest around the pavilion naturally could not but cause the anger of the Azerbaijani side, which was expressed with their boycott.

One of the most important events of March was the recognition of independence of Nagorno-Karabakh Republic by the House of Representatives of the State of Georgia. The resolution urges "the international community to duly recognize the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic as an independent, free and sovereign democracy."

Thus, even in the presence of the obstacles at state-level contacts arising because of non-recognition, Artsakh anyway tries to establish cooperative relations with various countries, not depriving its citizens from the opportunity of developing and well-being. The fact that any step towards the development of Artsakh is perceived by Azerbaijan in a hysteric way, and anyone who visits Artsakh appears in the "black list" is not something new. What is essential here is that the international community has started to realize the importance of cooperating with Artsakh, at the same time, the possible reaction of Azerbaijan to this is within the expected for them, which allows us to assume that there positive developments should be expected in Artsakh Foreign Relations.