A nine-member-group from International expert Center for Electoral Systems (ICES), currently in Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh) Republic, earlier held meetings with NKR presidential candidates: current leader Bako Sahakyan and ex-deputy defense minister Vitaly Balasanyan.

“We are grateful to NKR National Assembly speaker Ashot Ghulyan for making our visit possible. We were briefed on the political and economic situation of Artsakh. As for the meetings, both candidates are quite confident,” Alexander Tsinker told PanARMENIAN. Net.

“Both candidates have a clear conviction of the need for NKR to get involved in the negotiation process. Mr. Balasanyan believes restructuring the defense system a necessity. I stressed the need for the losing party to congratulate the winner,” the ICES head said, adding that Artsakh’s current leader shows great interest in the observers’ presence.

“Election organizers try hard to act in line with international standards,” Mr. Tsinker said.