Karabakh Foreign Minister Karen Mirzoyan held on December 9 a number of meetings in Washington with members of the U.S. Congress, Co-chairs of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues Frank Pallone and Robert Dold, as well as Congresswoman Anna Eshoo.
Accompanied by Chairman of the Armenian National Committee of America Ken Khachikian and Kate Nahapetian, Mirzoyan also met with U.S. Senator, member of the Appropriations Committee Mark Kirk.
During the meeting, a range of issues related to the Karabakh conflict peaceful settlement, Azerbaijan's provocations on the line of contact, as well as the U.S. humanitarian assistance to Artsakh were discussed.
Besides, the Minister took part in the event dedicated to the anniversary of Artsakh's independence in the U.S. Congress, organized under the auspices of the Co-chairs of the U.S. Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues, through joint efforts of the Armenian National Committee of America, the Armenian Assembly of America, the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia to the USA, and Karabakh Permanent Representation to the USA.
A number of Congressmen attended the event and delivered speeches, including Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee Ed Royce, Co-Chairs of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues Frank Pallone and Robert Dold, Congressman Adam Schiff. The Congressmen expressed support for the Nagorno Karabakh Republic's independence and democratic development and stressed their readiness to continue to focus on the issues related to Artsakh. The speakers also stressed the necessity of taking immediate steps for reducing the tensions on the line of contact between the armed forces of Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan.
Armenia's Ambassador to the U.S. Tigran Sargsyan also addressed the attendees.
The Minister, in turn, expressed gratitude to the Congressmen for their continued support in Karabakh-related issues.
Mirzoyan also elaborated on the current stage of the peaceful settlement of the conflict and briefed on the situation on the contact line, further escalated by Azerbaijan.
The Minister stressed that Karabakh is an established state with all the attributes and institutions of statehood, its Constitution, an active civil society and vibrant economy. Artsakh is also an important geopolitical factor in the region, which contributes to the stability and peace, he said. Throughout its independence, Karabakh has proved to be a reliable and responsible partner for the international community.
Concluding his speech, Mirzoyan expressed confidence that the time had come for the international community to accept the reality and recognize the free and democratic Nagorno Karabakh Republic.
