Independence of Nagorno-Karabakh recognized by 32 PACE delegates

Thirty-two delegates of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) have issued a joint declaration on Nagorno-Karabakh, which recognizes its independence. The document was signed by delegates from Armenia, France, Serbia, Belgium, Slovenia, Andorra, Austria, Britain, Spain, Italy, Malta and Luxembourg.

"For ten years already Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia are members of the Council of Europe, while Artsakh (Artsakh is the self-name of Nagorno-Karabakh, – note of the "Caucasian Knot") is still not a member of the Council of Europe. While highly assessing the results of the development process and the democratic model of Artsakh, and recognizing the need for participation of official representatives of Artsakh in negotiations under the auspices of the Minsk Group of the OSCE, we hereby congratulate the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic on its 20th anniversary, and call for close cooperation with the legitimately elected authorities of Nagorno-Karabakh," says the joint declaration.

According to the authors of the document, Nagorno-Karabakh had exercised the right to self-determination and decolonization from the Soviet Union together with Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia, the "Armenia-Today" reports.

"Artsakh is still not a member of the Council of Europe; however, in spite of this fact and the complex situation, Artsakh, had adopted and is consistently implementing the process of nation-building, which is consistent with the spirit, mission and values of Europe," the "News.am" quotes the text of the document.

According to the Azerbaijani party, the declaration has no legal force; it was prepared for provocations. "According to the procedure of the PACE, any deputy may subscribe to any document; however, it will have no legal effect and does not represent the position of the PACE or the Council of Europe," - said Samed Seidov, the head of the Azerbaijani delegation to the PACE. According to his story, the document was signed at the initiative of the Armenian party, the "Aze.az" reports.