Armenia and Karabakh Welcome California Senate Vote on Artsakh Independence

YEREVAN/STEPANAKERT — the Armenian government and the Karabakh leadership welcomed the California State Senate resolution, with Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian issuing a special statement on the occasion.

“We welcome the decision of the California Senate to recognize the independence of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic,” Nalbandian said in the statement.

“The longer Azerbaijan obstacles the efforts of Armenia and the Minsk Group Co-Chairs targeted at the peaceful settlement of the Karabakh conflict, the more communities will adopt decisions and resolutions, paving the way for the international recognition of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic,” the Foreign Minister added.

David Babayan, spokesman for NKR president Bako Sahakian, called the resolution a “great and remarkable event for all Armenians.” He told Public Radio of Armenia that California State Senate Resolution recognizing Nagorno Karabakh as an independent state will have important legal, political and moral consequences.

“Naturally, it will have consequences. This is an important political decision that values the path Artsakh has passed and appreciates the state-building process in the country, which proceeds in compliance with civilized and democratic norms and principles,” Babayan said.

“If this was not the case, no one would recognize a radical, abnormal state. This is also a message to Azerbaijan that the civilized world will never accept the attempts of a Nazi, feudalistic state to invade, destroy a democratic one,” Babayan added.

The Spokesman said Artsakh accepted this step as an invaluable gift in the run-up to the 23rd anniversary of establishment of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic.

According to him, this is equal to the recognition of Artsakh by a powerful state, as California is the strongest entity in the United States with its population and economy and is among the seven leading economies in the world.