Edward Nalbandian participated in the ceremony dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nagorno-Karabakh Republic

On July 18 Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia Edward Nalbandian who paid a working visit to Stepanakert met with the President of Artsakh Bako Sahakian.
During the conversation Minister Nalbandian presented the details of meeting with the Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan and the Co-Chairs of OSCE Minsk Group which took place on July 12 in Vienna.

President Sahakyan and Minister Nalbandian had a talk over the Nagorno-Karabakh negotiation process. Both sides emphasized the importance of the active and coordinated cooperation between the Foreign Ministries of Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh.

On July 19 Edward Nalbandian met with the Foreign Minister of NKR Karen Mirzoyan, NKR representatives abroad and the diplomatic staff at the Foreign Ministry of Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. Congratulating the Artsakh diplomats on the 20th anniversary of the establishment of NKR Foreign Ministry, Edward Nalbandian pointed out that he would continue comprehensive support to the activities of Artsakh Foreign Ministry. Edward Nalbandian presented the recent developments in the negotiation process and answered the questions of Artsakh diplomats. On the same day Minister Nalbandian took part in the ceremonial session dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nagorno-Karabakh Republic which was held at the hall of National Assembly of NKR.

Delivering an address during the session Minister Nalbandian in particular said: “The Foreign Ministry of independent Artsakh was established in conditions of war. After two decades in nice, safe and prosperous Stepanakert, in this beautiful hall we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nagorno-Karabakh Republic.

These 20 years may seem just a second for future generations and historiographers but for us they are a whole epoch that started with glorious battles for liberty and for a dignified future and continued with intensive work of establishing the state institutions.

Due to the persistent and invincible soul, hardworking and the great will of Artsakh Armenians the second Armenian state has passed an important way of establishment and formation of the state structures. Today the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nagorno-Karabakh has its significant place among the state institutions of Artsakh with its permanent representations in Armenia and abroad and devoted diplomats.

Being in the roots of statehood, the Foreign Ministry, in parallel with the Army of Defense, was struggling on the external front to make the voice of Artsakh audible.
All those who have their contribution in this work deserve a special gratitude.

If the voice of Nagorno-Karabakh Republic is heard in all international platforms it is thanks to the active foreign policy of Nagorno-Karabakh exerted by the leadership of President Bako Sahakian. It’s also due to the diplomats of Nagorno-Karabakh.

The proof of the great contribution and role of the Foreign Ministry of NKR is the fact that the first Minister of Foreign Affairs of Artsakh Mr. Arkadi Ghukasian was later elected as the second President of the Republic and is also an Ambassador at Large of the Republic of Armenia.

Starting from the independence the peaceful and just resolution of Nagorno-Karabakh issue has been the most basic problem of the Foreign Ministries of Armenia and Artsakh.

Because of our chosen course, it has already been five years that the Heads of OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair countries keep the efforts for the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh issue in the focus of their attention, proof of which are the joint statements in l’Aquila, Muskoka, Deauville, Los Cabos and Enniskillen.

We are sure that the peaceful resolution of the conflict based on the international recognition of the right of self-determination of the people of Artsakh has no alternative. For this goal we exert collaborative and consistent efforts. There is a close cooperation established between our Ministries, an evidence of which can be witnessed by the fact that the current Minister of Foreign Affairs of Nagorno-Karabakh is Karen Mirzoyan, one of the most experienced members of the diplomatic service of Armenia.

I want to express my gratitude to all current and former members of the diplomatic staff of the Foreign Ministry of Artsakh for their efforts and for their contribution in protecting the interests of Artsakh abroad, to congratulate on the 20th anniversary of the Ministry of Foreign Ministry of Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. I wish you new successes and assure you that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia as in the past, now stands beside you with all its capacities and will continue the comprehensive support to the activities of the Foreign Ministry of Artsakh.”

On the same day Edward Nalbandian returned to Yerevan.