Recently, Azerbaijan has intensified its attempts to cast doubt on the expediency of visiting the Nagorno Karabakh Republic (NKR) by foreign citizens.
For two decades, the NKR has developed as an independent and democratic state, which is able to defend its sovereignty and ensure all the democratic rights and liberties for its citizens. Since the declaration of its independence, our country has been visited by tens of thousands of guests from many states of the civilized world. Missions of international organizations, including NGOs, and business-companies constantly operate in the Republic. Annually, the NKR MFA registers average 15-percent increase of the number of tourists, which testifies to the sincere and increasing interest of the international community towards the Karabakh phenomenon.
Unfortunately, any testimony for the consolidation of the NKR statehood causes inadequate reaction by Baku, as a result of which the Azerbaijani authorities often resort to a state blackmail or other typical actions contradicting the modern system of international legal and moral standards.
The recent initiative is encroachment on the interests of the Karabakh people by Baku impeding confidence-building between the AR and NKR, which is a necessary term for an efficient settlement of the Azerbaijani-Karabakh conflict.
The Azerbaijani leadership should refuse of its destructive steps and direct its political potential to the negotiations on the achievement of mutually acceptable peace and stability in the South Caucasus, with the consideration of the existing realities.
Public Radio of Armenia