Establishment of the inter-parliamentary relations with Nagorno-Karabakh was officially announced at the plenary session of the Lithuanian Parliament on Thursday. Chairman of the meeting, member of Labor Party Vytautas Gapsys read a statement on the establishment of the group, invited parliamentarians wishing to join, and announced plans for the first meeting of the group.

Former Minister of Foreign Affairs Audronius Azubalis said creation of the group damages official foreign policy of Lithuania

 “What you have just read, is contrary to the recommendations of the Seimas Board, the Charter and the Committee on Foreign Affairs. Seimas is establishing inter-parliamentary relations with the countries which have received international recognition. In this case, such a group can not be created in the Seimas, things are pushing our parliament and the Lithuanian state in a very strange situation, and we’re becoming a platform for political games and conflict of ethnic minorities from the Caucasus,” he said.

One of the founders of the group Dangute Mikutiene noted that other groups of friendship are set up in the Seimas with unrecognized regions, DELFI reported. She said these groups inlcude members of the conservative party.

“Lithuania is a democratic state, the mandate is given to the members of Seimas to be friends with parliaments of other countries, even if they are not officially recognized. Can you continue the list which was signed by the members of your faction - Cuba, Taiwan, Chechnya, Tibet?” Mikutiene said.