Navarre parliament panel says Artsakh must take part in talks

PanARMENIAN.Net - The Board of Spokespersons of the Parliament of Navarre (autonomous community in northern Spain) has issued a statement calling on the international community and specifically the OSCE Minsk Group and the European Union to take steps for resolving the Nagorno Karabakh conflict through peaceful and democratic means.

The Board of Spokespersons is an administrative body which assists the Committee of the House and in which the Parliamentary Groups are represented by their Spokesperson. It participates in the formation of political resolutions considered deserving of parliamentary work and affairs. The decisions taken by the Board of Spokespersons are adopted by means of a system of measured vote by which each Spokesperson has as many votes as his/her group has parliamentarians. This body is responsible, among other things, for approving the budgets and accounts of the House and for formulating institutional statements.

According to NKR Foreign Ministry’s report, the statement emphasizes the authorities of Nagorno Karabakh should participate in the negotiation process of any format. The council also hailed Artsakh people’s adherence to democratic principles.

On Sept 12, a motion supporting the self-determination of Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh) Republic was adopted by the Basque Parliament. The motion praises the strong determination of the Nagorno Karabakh people in their choice for democracy, despite the hard and difficult situation. In addition, it states that the people of Karabakh have the right to decide their own future, namely their self-determination, which is the fundamental element in any negotiation for the final settlement of the conflict. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of Nagorno Karabakh's participation in the OSCE Minsk Group conflict resolution negotiations.

A day earlier, a similar document was adopted by the province of Gipuzkoa, one of the three provinces of the Basque Country.

On Jan 28, 2014, the Los Angeles City Council unanimously adopted a resolution recognizing the independence of Nagorno Karabakh Republic. The motion was introduced by Councilmember Paul Krekorian.

On April 23, 2013, Fresno County became the first County in California to officially recognize the independence of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic (Artsakh). The Board of Supervisors passed a resolution sponsored by Supervisor Andreas Borgeas that officially recognizes the Nagorno Karabakh Republic and also calls upon the California Legislature to grant official recognition.

On May 30, 2013, the Louisiana State Senate adopted a resolution saluting the Nagorno Karabakh Republic’s independence and urging the U.S. president and Congress “to support the self-determination and democratic independence” of this developing democratic state.

On Aug 6, 2012, the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts adopted a resolution urging President Barack Obama and the United States legislature to “support the self-determination and democratic independence” of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic.

On Oct 24, 2012, the Legislative Council of Australia’s New South Wales Parliament adopted, a resolution recognizing the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh and the right to self-determination of its Armenian people. The motion acknowledges the 20th anniversary of independence for the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh, it supports the right to self-determination of its people, and it “calls on the Commonwealth Government [of Australia] to officially recognize the independence of the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh and strengthen Australia’s relationship with the Nagorno Karabakh and its citizens”.