Frank Engel: Nagorno-Karabakh progresses in construction of statehood and democracy

Nagorno-Karabakh demonstrates progress in constructing state and strengthening democratic values. This progress may be encouraged by a more active position of the European Union towards the unrecognized state. This was stated by Frank Engel, a member of European Parliament (MEP).

On April 19, Frank Engel arrived in Nagorno-Karabakh with a working visit. Eduardo Lorenzo Ochoa, Director of "European Friends of Armenia", visited Stepanakert together with Frank Engel. The delegation met leaders of NGOs, the Chairman of the National Assembly of Nagorno-Karabakh, and top-ranking officials of the republic.

The MEP has noted: "Today, the European Union considers the OSCE Minsk Group as the only format to resolve the Karabakh conflict. However, there are other positive developments." This was reported by the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

Frank Engel has added that "the European Union set up a 'Democracy Assistance Fund', which is ready to accept proposals for implementation of programmes from the civil sector of the unrecognized states, including from NGOs of Nagorno-Karabakh."

Earlier, the Azerbaijani side spoke out against visits of EU representatives to Nagorno-Karabakh. So, in 2012, the Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) announced undesirable persons the three French senators, who visited Nagorno-Karabakh without the consent of the Azerbaijani government.