On the occasion of the 15-th anniversary of the Karabakh liberation movement co-chairs of the US Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Joe Knollenberg (R-MI) addressed a congratulation message to the Nagorno Karabakh people. It in particular says, "February 20, 1988 has marked the Nagorno Karabakh people resolution to get rid of the repressive Azeri government and make its destiny itself. The American nation rests on the same striving for freedom." US Congress has voiced support to the Karabakh people hopes many times, the message notes. "We were with you when you challenged the Soviet totalitarianism, making your own contribution to the democratization of the former Soviet Union and ending the Cold War. We were trying to stop Azeri aggression in the following years, and later rendered aid for post-war rehabilitation," - the document stresses. "During the past 15 years you have been successfully maintaining your independence and are now building a democratic state. Today the Nagorno Karabakh Republic is in full compliance with the international criteria of a well-formed statehood with democratically elected authorities, a strong army and independent foreign policy," - the congressmen noted. Moreover, Nagorno Karabakh makes its contribution to the maintenance of peace and stability in such a strategically important region as the South Caucasus is, which fits the US interests, they emphasized. "We will further assist in strengthening the Nagorno Karabakh security, its development and regional integration," - US congressmen said in the closing of their message.