Thursday, August 28 2014

Recognition of NKR's independence  by California Senate has completed the process of NKR's recognition by California, NKR President's Spokesperson David Babayan told ArmInfo. 

He recalled that earlier the National Assembly of California recognized the NKR.  According to Babayan, it is a very important step, as California is the biggest State by its population and economic potential. In addition, California State is among the world's top seven biggest economies. "That is why, recognition of NKR by California State is equivalent to recognition of our country by a big and influential state. It is a milestone event. Nevertheless, we plan expanding the geography of Artsakh's recognition," Babayan said.

The spokesperson said in NKR they are very encouraged with the given news and very thankful to the people of California. 

In addition, Babayan sees something symbolic in the given step, as the Resolution was passed a few days ahead of NKR's Independence Day celebrated on 2 September.  

"I think, the resolution also hints Azerbaijan that civilized unions, countries and states simply cannot afford the policy of official Baku and cannot bear the attempts of a fascist and feudal country to settle the dispute with a democratic and civilized state by force," Babayan said.

He said that such a phenomenal result is achieved due to close cooperation with Armenia and Diaspora. "It is a result of coordinated and consolidated efforts," Babayan said. The NKR president's spokesperson is sure that the given step will give a new impetus to the NKR-California relations.  As for Azerbaijan's response to the Resolution, Babayan called it predictable. "They realized that money couldn't decide everything. Azerbaijan's propaganda is based on the lie and bribes and has no power against values and moral principles many countries and peoples adhere to. That is why Azerbaijan fell into violent hysterics. They spend billions of dollars to blacken Nagorno Karabakh, but it no longer works. I think, it is a kind of cry by a drowning man who no one wants to save, because a country that has entered the path on fascism will drown sooner or later," Babayan said.

To recall, the California State Senate, led by incoming Senate President Pro Tem Kevin De Leon, by an overwhelming majority of votes on Wednesday passed Assembly member Mike Gatto's resolution, AJR 32, encouraging Artsakh's (Nagorno Karabakh) continuing efforts to develop as a free and independent nation and formally calling upon the upon the President and Congress of the United States to support the self- determination and democratic independence of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, reported the Armenian National Committee of America - Western Region. 

AJR 32 was adopted by the CA State Assembly in May 2014 by a sweeping vote of 70 to 2 under the leadership of Speaker Emeritus John Perez.