Pallone Recognizes 23rd Anniversary of Nagorno Karabakh's Movement Towards Liberation

Dec 2, 2014 Issues: Foreign Affairs and Defense

WASHINGTON, DC — On Tuesday, December 2, 2014, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06), founder and co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues, celebrated the 23rd Anniversary of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic’s movement towards liberation.  An event, hosted by the Office of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic, the Embassy of Armenia, Armenian-American groups and in cooperation with the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues, recognized the 23 years since the referendum in Nagorno Karbakh when the nation adopted its constitution.

Congressman Pallone welcomed the Nagorno Karabakh Republic’s Speaker Ashot Ghoulian as the event’s keynote speaker, along with Nagorno Karabakh’s representative, Robert Avetisyan and Armenia’s Ambassador to the United States, Tigran Sargsyan.  The leaders discussed the ongoing commitment to democracy and freedom in Nagorno Karabakh, and the importance of continued U.S. support for the region.

“Since 1991, the people of Nagorno Karabakh have demonstrated their commitment to our shared ideals of participatory and responsive democracy,” said Congressman Pallone.  “Tonight, we celebrate the relationship between the Nagorno Karabakh and the United States, while also recognizing the important role Nagorno Karabakh plays in the stability of the region.  With them, we will continue to push for restoration of their war torn economy and work towards peace in the region with a strong and independent Nagorno Karabakh.

“Twenty three years ago, on December 10, the people of Nagorno Karabakh made its legitimate choice and reinstated through a nationwide referendum the already proclaimed independence of the NKR,” said Ashot Ghoulian, Speaker of the NKR Republic.  “In the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic we know the price of independence, security, and peace.”

Congressman Pallone and the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues continue to lead the fight for the Nagorno Karbakh Republic’s international recognition and official independence.  Congressman Pallone has called for NKR’s international recognition and official separation from Azerbaijan as a solution to the regional conflict and continued violence against the people of Nagorno Karabakh.  He has also advocated for U.S. foreign aid to be provided to NKR in support for important projects that help rebuild infrastructure and public works programs.