On Republic Proclamation Day, Stepanakert holds weapon exhibition

A procession, laying flowers, concerts, fireworks, as well as an exhibition of weapons and military equipment were held in the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) on the 28th anniversary of the proclamation of the republic. The authorities declared that defence of the borders, improving citizens' social status and economy developing are now the main goals.

On September 2, the NKR marks the Republic Proclamation Day. The self-proclaimed republic should unite with Armenia, the local residents interviewed by the "Caucasian Knot" believe.

The independence of Artsakh (the historical name of the NKR, – note of the "Caucasian Knot") had been a cherished dream of many generations, and today it is a reality, Ararat Mirzoyan, the Speaker of the National Assembly (Parliament) of Armenia, believes.

An exhibition of upgraded military equipment and weapons, including those manufactured in the NKR, was held in the capital, Stepanakert. Karen Abramyan, the Minister of Defence, has stated that "the NKR's Defence Army remains the guarantor of republic's security."

Armenia is grossly violating the norms and principles of the international law, which seriously undermines the efforts to settle the Karabakh conflict by peaceful means. This was stated by Leyla Abdullaeva, the head of the press service of the Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), in her comment on the visit of the Armenian delegation to Stepanakert, the "Sputnik Azerbaijan" reports.