Karabakh Foreign Minister Thanks U.S. for Humanitarian Aid at Capitol Hill Independence Celebration

Nagorno Karabakh Republic Foreign Minister Karen Mirzoyan, in his inaugural speech in Washington, DC as a government minister, outlined Nagorno Karabakh's democratic and economic successes and cited the important role the U.S. has played in Artsakh's progress at the annual Capitol Hill celebration of Artsakh independence.

"Allow me, on behalf of our people and government, express our profound gratitude to the U.S. Government and all Americans for the crucial humanitarian assistance my people have been thankfully accepting for more than a decade now. We are grateful to the U.S. Congress, Co-Chairs and all the members of the Armenian Caucus, our compatriots living in the United States, who spared no effort to make sure Artsakh remains safe, regional stability is maintained, and freedom-loving Artsakhtsis have a chance to improve their daily peaceful lives," explained Foreign Minister Mirzoyan.

He expressed Karabakh's willingness to build on this progress, urging the international community to embrace broader Artsakh participation in regional and worldwide initiatives. "We believe that an unimpeded involvement of NKR in international processes would not only ensure implementation of the concept of equal and comprehensive security, based on our shared values, but it would also send an appropriate signal to Azerbaijan to abandon its revanchist aspirations, and show political will for the sake of a stable and predictable South Caucasus, for the sake of our children's future," explained Mirzoyan.

Joining Foreign Minister Mirzoyan in discussing obstacles and opportunities Karabakh faces in the region were Armenia's Ambassador Tatoul Markarian and Nagorno Karabakh Representative in the U.S. Robert Avetisyan.

The annual Nagorno Karabakh Republic independence celebration took place on December 5th in the historic Russell Senate Office Building, in Washington, DC. The event was hosted by the Armenian Caucus, which is co-chaired by Congressman Ed Royce (R-CA), the incoming Chairman of the influential Foreign Affairs Committee, and Congressman Frank Pallone (D-NJ). Representative Pallone served as the evening's master of ceremonies. Among the legislators offering powerful statements at the event in support for Nagorno Karabakh were Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), Representatives Adam Schiff (D-CA), David Cicilline (D-RI), Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Brad Sherman (D-CA), and Eliot Engel (D-NY), the incoming Ranking Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee. Representatives Jeff Denham (R-CA) and Linda Sanchez (D-CA) participated in the program, meeting with Minister Mirzayan and joining in the celebration of Artsakh's independence. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Representative Jackie Speier (D-CA) shared powerful statements of support of Nagorno Karabakh.