Foreign relations of Artsakh

The Republic of Artsakh is a republic with limited recognition in the South Caucasus region. The Republic of Artsakh controls most of the territory of the former Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast and some of the surrounding area.[1] It is recognized by only three other non-UN member states, Abkhazia,[2] South Ossetia[2] and Transnistria.[2][3] The rest of the international community recognizes Artsakh as part of Azerbaijan. In November 2012, a member of Uruguay's foreign relations committee stated that his country could recognize Nagorno-Karabakh's independence.[4] In 2012, Armenia and Tuvalu established diplomatic relations and it was perceived that Tuvalu may recognize Nagorno Karabakh's independence.[5] In October 2012, the Australian state of New South Wales recognized Nagorno-Karabakh.[6] In September 2014, the Basque Parliament in Spain adopted a motion supporting Artsakh's right to self-determination and in November 2014, the Parliament of Navarre, also in Spain, issued a statement supporting Artsakh's inclusion in taking part in settlement negotiations.[7]

Republic of Artsakh
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At the present, no diplomatic missions of other countries exist in Artsakh. On the other hand, the Republic has built a small network of representative offices around the world. Currently it has representative offices in 7 countries.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The Artsakh Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Stepanakert

Foreign policy of the state is governed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Republic of Artsakh. The Ministry is based in the capital city of Stepanakert. Currently, the Minister is David Babayan.

Bilateral relations

Abkhazia

The Republic of Artsakh and the partially recognized Republic of Abkhazia recognized each other. Both states abolished visa requirements for its citizens and participate in the Community for Democracy and Rights of Nations.

Australia

In 2012, the Parliament of New South Wales called upon the Australian government to recognize Artsakh. Artsakh maintains a Representative Office in Sydney, Australia.

Armenia

Artsakh has very close relations with Armenia. It functions as a de facto part of Armenia.[8][9][10][11][12][13] A representative office of Nagorno-Karabakh was established in Yerevan.

Europe

The Republic of Artsakh maintains three representative offices in Europe, including Berlin, Paris, and Moscow.[14]

Lebanon

The Republic of Artsakh maintains a Representative office in Lebanon's capital, Beirut. In March 2018, Artsakh president Bako Sahakyan visited Lebanon and met with Catholicos Aram I, the head of the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia of the Armenian Apostolic Church.[15] In May 2018, representatives of the Artsakh city of Martakert and the Lebanese town of Bourj Hammoud signed a Memorandum of Cooperation in the latter town.[16]

South Ossetia

The Republic of Artsakh and partially recognized Republic of South Ossetia recognized each other. Both states abolished visa requirements for its citizens and participate in the Community for Democracy and Rights of Nations.

Transnistria
Main article: Artsakh–Transnistria relations

Republic of Artsakh and Transnistria recognized each other and abolished visa requirements for their citizens. There are many joint activities between the two countries. In 2001, both countries in Stepanakert signed the Protocol on Cooperation and Consultations between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Transnistria and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Artsakh.[17] Transnistria also participates in the Community for Democracy and Rights of Nations.

United States

United States has not established diplomatic relations with the Republic of Artsakh and recognizes it as part of Azerbaijan. Support for Artsakh in the United States is manifested above all at the state legislature level. Several of them have adopted Artsakh support resolutions. In May 2012, the Rhode Island House of Representatives in the United States passed a resolution calling on President Barack Obama and the U.S. Congress to recognize Republic of Artsakh. On August 2012, the Massachusetts House of Representatives passed a similar resolution.[18] In April 2013, the Maine House of Representatives and Senate in the United States passed a resolution accepting Artsakh's independence and urging President Barack Obama to also accept Artsakh's independence.[19] In May 2013, the Louisiana State Senate in the United States passed a resolution accepting Artsakh's independence and expressed support for the Republic of Artsakh's efforts to develop as a free and independent nation.[20] In May 2014, the California State Assembly passed a measure recognizing Artsakh's independence with a 70–1 vote.[21] The measure also calls for President Barack Obama and the U.S. Congress to recognize Republic of Artsakh.[22] The US state of Hawaii unanimously voted to approve and recognize the Republic of Artsakh on March 30, 2016.[23] The Republic of Artsakh has also established a representative office in Washington, D.C.

In addition, Artsakh government officials regularly maintain contact with members of the United States Congress. In October 2019, the Foreign Minister of Artsakh noted that the authorities of the Republic attach great importance to the relations between Artsakh and the United States at various levels. The Minister also stated his appreciation of the United States for financial aid, support for the peaceful resolution of the conflict and hoped for further developing cooperation during a meeting with US Congress members.[24]

Independence recognition efforts

Non-UN member states
Entity Date of recognition Notes
 Abkhazia November 17, 2006 Mutual recognition
 South Ossetia November 17, 2006 Mutual recognition
 Transnistria July 4, 2001 or before[25] Mutual recognition

U.S. states
U.S. states' recognition of Artsakh
Passed a bill recognizing
Artsakh		 Rejected a bill recognizing
Azerbaijani territorial integrity		 Rejected a bill recognizing
Artsakh		 Passed a bill recognizing
Azerbaijani territorial integrity
 California (May 2014)[26][22]
 Georgia (March 2016)[27]
 Hawaii (March 2016)[28]
 Louisiana (May 2013)[29]
 Maine (April 2013)[30]
 Massachusetts (August 2012)[18]
 Michigan (September 2017)[31]
 Rhode Island (May 2012)[32]
 Colorado (April 2019)[33]
Minnesota (May 2020)[34]
 Kentucky (March 2016)[35]
 Mississippi (April 2014)[36]
 South Dakota (February 2014)[37]
 Tennessee (March 2014)[37]
 Wyoming (February 2014)[37]		  Vermont (April 2014)[38]  Arizona (January 2014)[39]
 New Mexico (February 2014)[40]

Other
See also: Political status of Nagorno-Karabakh § Independence recognition efforts

In October 2012, the Australian state of New South Wales recognized Nagorno-Karabakh[41] however it was reaffirmed by the Australian Foreign Minister in November 2015 that the federal government of the Commonwealth of Australia does not, and supports Azerbaijan's claim to the state.[42] In 2017, The Australian Greens announced that they recognize the Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh).[43][44] In October 2020, the New South Wales Legislative Assembly recognized the independence of the Republic of Artsakh, 61 for and 2 against. The motion also condemned the attacks by Azerbaijan and Turkey against the indigenous Armenians of Artsakh during the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.[45]

In September 2014, the Basque parliament adopted a motion supporting Nagorno-Karabakh's right to self-determination.[46] In the Philippines, various politicians are in favor of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) recognition and have suggested for the cooperation of ASEAN (which includes 10 Southeast Asian nations) in the recognition of the country, however, the current administration has yet to prioritize the issue due to an ongoing drug war and a shift to federalism.[47]

Before California recognized Nagorno-Karabakh in May 2014, three places within the state had already recognized it:

In addition, Highland is twinned with Berdzor and Montebello is twinned with Stepanakert.[52]

In November 2019, the French Communist Party urged the French Government to recognize the independence of Artsakh.[53] On 25 November 2020, the French Senate adopted a resolution to recognize the independence of Artsakh.

On 15 October 2020, the Italian city of Milan became the first ever large European city to recognize the Republic of Artsakh.[54] On 3 November 2020, the city of Palermo,[55] as well as Asolo,[56] Cerchiara di Calabria,[57] and the Italian region of Lombardy[58] followed.

On 24 October 2020, Nadia de León, the President of the Central American Parliament announced her support for the right of self-determination of Artsakh.[59]

On 5 November 2020, the city of Laval in Quebec recognized the independence of Artsakh.[60]

On 13 November 2020, the legislature of Uruguay's Montevideo Department unanimously recognized the independence of the Republic of Artsakh.[61]

Inter-parliamentary relations
  • On 26 February 2013, a parliamentary friendship group was established between the Republic of Artsakh and the Parliament of Lithuania.[62]
  • On 19 March 2013, a parliamentary friendship group was established with parliament members and senators of France.
  • In October 2014, a parliamentary friendship group was established between Artsakh and the European Parliament.[63]
  • In October 2017, parliamentary friendship groups were established with both the Parliament of Wallonia and Flemish Parliament in Belgium.
  • On 19 March 2019, a Artsakh-Canada Friendship Group was established between the National Assembly of Artsakh and the House of Commons of Canada.[64]
  • On 1 August 2019, a Artsakh-Australia Friendship Group was established between Artsakh and various Australian politicians including Federal Parliament Senators and Ministers, as well as the Prime Minister of the State of New South Wales.[65]
  • On 8 December 2019, Artsakh National Assembly Speaker Ashot Ghulyan received First Vice President of Guatemala’s Congress, Felipe Alejos Lorenzana. The sides discussed establishing inter-parliamentary ties.[66]
  • In June 2020, a parliamentary friendship group was established between the Republic of Artsakh and members of the Parliament of Cyprus.[67]

International organisation participation

International conventions

In addition to the above, Artsakh is also a signatory to several international conventions and treaties, including:[71]

Participation in international sports federations

See also

References
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  2. Вице-спикер парламента Абхазии: Выборы в НКР соответствуют всем международным стандартам: "Абхазия, Южная Осетия, НКР и Приднестровье уже давно признали независимость друг друга и очень тесно сотрудничают между собой", - сказал вице-спикер парламента Абхазии. ... "...Абхазия признала независимость Нагорно-Карабахской Республики..." - сказал он."
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  5. "Tuvalu and Armenia". Panorama. 2012-12-14. Retrieved 2017-04-11.
  6. "Full Day Hansard Transcript". Parliament of New South Wales. 2012-10-25. Archived from the original on 2013-03-14. Retrieved 2012-11-14. ...calls on the Commonwealth Government to officially recognise the independence of the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh and strengthen Australia's relationship with the Nagorno-Karabakh and its citizens.
  8. Hughes, James (2002). Ethnicity and Territory in the Former Soviet Union: Regions in Conflict. London: Cass. p. 211. ISBN 978-0-7146-8210-5. Indeed, Nagorno-Karabakh is de facto part of Armenia.
  9. Mulcaire, Jack (9 April 2015). "Face Off: The Coming War between Armenia and Azerbaijan". The National Interest. The mostly Armenian population of the disputed region now lives under the control of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, a micronation that is supported by Armenia and is effectively part of that country.
  10. "Armenia expects Russian support in Karabakh war". Hürriyet Daily News. 20 May 2011. Retrieved 25 June 2013. While internationally recognized as Azerbaijani territory, the enclave has declared itself an independent republic but is administered as a de facto part of Armenia.
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  12. Deutsche Gesellschaft für auswärtige Politik, Internationale Politik, Volume 8, 2007 "... and Nagorno-Karabakh, the disputed territory that is now de facto part of Armenia ..."
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