Louisiana State recognizes independence of Nagorno-Karabakh, its MFA says

The US State of Louisiana has passed a resolution in support of the efforts of Nagorno-Karabakh to develop as a free and independent state, says the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR).

The NKR was proclaimed on September 2, 1991; and on January 6, 1992, following a referendum on the status of Nagorno-Karabakh, the NKR declared itself an independent state. Azerbaijan does not recognize its independence, considering it a part of its territory. UN member countries do not recognize Nagorno-Karabakh as an independent state.

David Babayan, a political analyst and the head of the chief information department of the office of the NKR President, said that the recognition of the independence of Nagorno-Karabakh by Louisiana was very important.

"Louisiana is one of the oldest states that formed the basis for the modern United States; therefore, the recognition of Nagorno-Karabakh by the state is very important. Process of recognition of the NKR is inevitable and will surely continue; within a few years its geography will expand," Mr Babayan told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

In his turn, Elman Abdullaev, the spokesperson of the MFA of Azerbaijan, said in his comment on the fact that Louisiana has recognized the independence of the NKR, that the "official Washington, as well as the entire international community, supports the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan."

The APA reports that he has also treated the news as "another provocation" of the Armenian Diaspora.