The California State Senate on Thursday passed ACR 105, a resolution that establishes a sister-state relationship between the US State of California and Armenia’s Province of Syunik, reported the Armenian National Committee of America - Western Region (ANCA-WR)

A total of 62 California legislators have been listed as co-authors of this resolution, which declares California’s solidarity with Syunik, the southernmost province in Armenia, and will facilitate mutually beneficial educational, economic, and cultural exchanges.

In the aftermath of Azerbaijan’s renewed war against the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) in the fall of 2020, the Azerbaijani military crossed into Armenia and moved 3.5 kilometers into Syunik Province. The next day, the Azerbaijani military breached two other sections of the border and occupied more areas of Armenia. Azerbaijan’s illegal presence remains in Syunik, threatening Armenia’s sovereignty and the people who live there.