July 23, 2008 - 16:02 AMT
Georgi Petrossian: NKR asserted its right to exist
During the years of its existence, the Foreign Ministry of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic became an important link in statehood building and democratic society consolidation, says a statement issued by NKR Foreign Minister Georgy Petrossian on occasion of 15th anniversary of the NKR MFA.

The statement says in part,

"The main goal of NKR foreign policy is international recognition of its independence. The people of Nagorno Karabakh have realized their right to self-determination. Many states gained independence after decline of powers. Nagorno Karabakh has never been a part of independent Azerbaijan. Its annexation to Azerbaijani Soviet Republic was Stalin's arbitrary decision

Karabakh's independence was proclaimed in compliance of the international law. On September 2 Declaration "On State Independence of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic" was adopted.

Building its state system, NKR asserted its right to exist. The republic holds presidential and parliamentary elections which meet international democratic standards… No nation has ever renounced independence it enjoyed in the course of 20 years."