STEPANAKERT. – It is important for all European Union (EU) member states to realize how strong the people of Nagorno-Karabakh are and how much they want to vote for democracy.

Federal Council—the second chamber of the Austrian Parliament—member Hans-Jörg Jenevein, who monitored Sunday’s Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR; Artsakh) parliamentary election as an observer, told the aforesaid to Armenian News-NEWS.am.

“They are normal elections, just as in Austria and the entire Europe. I believe it’s important to support the people in Nagorno-Karabakh,” the Austrian MP said. “I believe this is the best future for Karabakh.”

In Jenevein’s words, a small-step policy should be conducted to achieve Karabakh’s international recognition. The Austrian observer also expressed the hope that within the next five years, Europe will become more aware of the Nagorno-Karabakh issue.

“The [Austrian parliament’s recent] adoption of the statement on the [Armenian] genocide was the first step for us,” he said. “I hope one day we will have normal relations with Armenia and Karabakh.”

Hans-Jörg Jenevein also noted that he is very impressed with Nagorno-Karabakh. 

“These elections show that Karabakh is on the right track,” he stated. “All governments in Europe must accept this form and support the population in Artsakh.” 

To note, a total of 110 observers from a variety of countries monitored Sunday’s parliamentary election in the NKR. Seven political parties ran for Artsakh’s 33 parliamentary seats by the proportional system, and fifty individuals, 27 of whom self-nominated, vied for the parliamentary mandates by the majority system.