Conference on “20th Anniversary of Independence of the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh: Realities and Perspectives” kicks off in Stepanakert

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 17, ARMENPRESS: Conference on "20th Anniversary of Independence of the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh: Realities and Perspectives" kicked off today in the National Assembly of the NKR. Armenpress reports the participants were first welcomed by the Chairman of the National Assembly of NKR Ashot Ghulyan who congratulated all the present on the 24th anniversary of Karabakh movement and 20th anniversary of its independence.

"The Armenian people dreamt of restoration of the lost statehood, dreamt of having free, independent motherland and having their worthy place in the international community," Ghulyan said, noting that Artsakh has always been the bearer of the ideas and the first fighter for the restoration of the national statehood. Ghulyan said the geopolitical developments of the end of the past century did not give an opportunity to make the wish come true – create a united Armenian state, which in its turn served as a ground for Artsakh to declare its independence. "We have not diverted from this path during the past twenty years, we continue our path with the establishment of democratic principles, building civic society, erecting independent statehood," Ghulyan said.

Welcoming the participants of the conference, Chairman of the Armenian Constitutional Court Gagik Harutyunyan noted that the conferences raise expectations among people and in case of failure, they are disappointed. "I expect to hear a number of thoughts during this conference which will be of practical, political significance," Harutyunyan said.

The chairman of the CC said irrespective of everything the most important is the expectation of an Artsakh citizen and his/her response to the events, thus in the sidelines of the conference it is expected to organize meetings in the NKR schools, in the Artsakh State University. The goal is to feel the mentality of the young people of Artsakh.

Deputy speaker of the Armenian parliament, head of the Armenian Defense Ministry's National Strategic Research Institute Hayk Kotanjyan too delivered opening speeches.

Number of international experts, analysts from Russia, Great Britain, United States, Greece, Poland, Holland and Germany are participating in the conference.