LOS ANGELES—A delegation headed by Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh Republic) Parliament Speaker Ashot Ghoulian was welcomed at the Los Angeles City Council on Wednesday.
While introducing Ghoulian, Councilmember Paul Krekorian detailed the path Artsakh has taken from its forced annexation to Azerbaijan under Soviet rule to its declaration of independence.
“Today Artsakh is truly a democratic, sovereign and independent state,” explained Krekorian during remarks at City Hall.
In his remarks, Ghoulian thanked the City Council for recognizing the right of the people of Artsakh to self-determination. According to him, this is already the second step toward establishing cooperation between Los Angeles and Shushi, the second largest city in Artsakh.
The Artsakh delegation was welcomed by Los Angeles City Council member Eric Garcetti.
“Although the Federal authorities of the US have not yet recognized the independence of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic, we are the people of this country and our decision is unbreakable,” Garcetti said, speaking about the declaration.
“We are proud that Los Angeles was the first to make a step recognizing the right of the people of Artsakh to self-determination,” he said.
At the conclusion of the session, Krekorian presented Ghoulian a proclamation detailing friendly relations between Los Angeles and Shushi.
