Lithuanian lawmakers say Artsakh first in USSR to ‘raise flag of independence’

By Asbarez | Thursday, 04 September 2014

 

Lithuanian lawakers meet with Artsakh President Bako Sahakian and other officials

STEPANAKERT—Delegates of a Lithuania-Artsakh parliamentary friendship group, led by Lithuanian Member of Parliament Dalia Kuodytė, were in Artsakh on Wednesday to participate in the celebration of the country’s 23rd Independence Day anniversary. The Lithuanian lawmakers met with Artsakh’s president, foreign minister, and their counterparts at the National Assembly.

 

Issues related to Artsakh-Lithuania relations, the Azerbaijan-Karabakh conflict, and other regional issues were discussed during the meetings.

When creating the group, the Latvian lawmakers were guided by the idea that Artsakh was the first in the Soviet Union to raise the flag of independence, Dalia Kuodytė said, adding that “the voice of the people of Artsakh should be audible in the world today.”

“We are realistic. We don’t think this or that step will help solve Artsakh’s political problems, but it’s important to listen to each other, to have Artsakh’s voice heard in Lithuania,” she added.

“I think it’s cynical to speak about territorial integrity, ignoring the principle of self-determination,” she said. According to her, all countries have their geopolitical purposes and this should be taken into consideration, but it’s also necessary to prove the truth and make one’s own voice heard. No one can prohibit Artsakh from doing this,” she said.

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