YEREVAN. – The representative body of the US State of California has recognized the Nagorno-Karabakh (NK) people’s right to self-determination.

Ruling Republican Party of Armenia MP Artak Zakaryan, who is also Chairman of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Foreign Relations, said the abovementioned at a press conference on Wednesday. 

In the MP’s words, the international recognition of the right to self-determination is the best solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh and other similar conflicts.

“All efforts should be directed towards the pacific and political settlement of the NK conflict. In the other matters NKR has shown that it is a de facto, established, and sovereign state that functions with democratic precepts.

“I am convinced [that] NKR will gain the status of an independent party to the [Karabakh peace] talks, and the republic’s legitimate authorities and society will have the chance to ultimately decide on their destiny,” Zakaryan stressed.           
As reported earlier, the California State Assembly Rules Committee on Monday cast a historic vote supporting and encouraging Artsakh’s continuing efforts to develop as a free and independent nation, and urging the President and Congress of the United States to support the self-determination and democratic independence of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. 

As a result, California may join the US States of Rhode Island, Maine, Massachusetts, and Louisiana, which already have recognized Nagorno-Karabakh’s independence.