No diplomatic missions of other countries ever existed in Artsakh, due to its lack of international recognition. On the other hand, the republic built a small network of representative offices around the world, with representative offices
in seven countries.
Following an Azerbaijani
assault on 19 September 2023, Artsakh agreed to dissolve itself by 1 January 2024. In accordance with the agreement, it did so on 1 January 2024, ending its self-proclaimed independence.[8]
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Foreign policy of the state was governed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Republic of Artsakh. The Ministry was based in the capital city of
Stepanakert.
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Abkhazia
The Republic of Artsakh and the partially recognized Republic of
Abkhazia recognized each other. Both states abolished visa requirements for their citizens and participated in the
Community for Democracy and Rights of Nations.
Australia
In 2012, the
Parliament of New South Wales called upon the Australian government to recognize Artsakh. Artsakh maintained a Representative Office in
Sydney, Australia.
While
Armenia never recognized Artsakh, they had very close relations. It functioned as a de facto part of Armenia.[11][12][13][14][15][16] A representative office of Nagorno-Karabakh was established in
Yerevan.
Europe
The Republic of Artsakh maintained three representative offices in
Europe, including
Berlin,
Paris, and
Moscow.[17]
Artsakh gave a positive response to the Russian recognition of
Donetsk and
Luhansk, however this did not extend to their own issuance of recognition.[18]
The Republic of Artsakh and
Transnistria recognized each other and abolished visa requirements for their citizens. There were many joint activities between the two countries. In 2001, both countries in
Stepanakert signed the Protocol on Cooperation and Consultations between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Transnistria and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Artsakh.[21] Transnistria also participates in the Community for Democracy and Rights of Nations.
The
United States never established diplomatic relations with the Republic of Artsakh and recognized it as part of
Azerbaijan. Support for Artsakh in the United States manifested above all at the
state legislature level. Several of them adopted Artsakh support resolutions. In May 2012, the
Rhode Island House of Representatives in the United States passed a resolution calling on President
Barack Obama and the
U.S. Congress to recognize the Republic of Artsakh. In August 2012, the
Massachusetts House of Representatives passed a similar resolution.[23] In April 2013, the
Maine House of Representatives and
Senate passed a resolution accepting Artsakh's independence and urging President
Barack Obama to also accept Artsakh's independence.[24] In May 2013, the
Louisiana State Senate passed a resolution accepting Artsakh's independence and expressed support for the Republic of Artsakh's efforts to develop as a free and independent nation.[25] In May 2014, the
California State Assembly passed a measure recognizing Artsakh's independence with a 70–1 vote.[26] The measure also called for President
Barack Obama and the
U.S. Congress to recognize the Republic of Artsakh.[27] The US state of
Hawaii unanimously voted to approve and recognize the Republic of Artsakh on March 30, 2016.[28] The Republic of Artsakh also established a representative office in
Washington, D.C.[29]
In addition, Artsakh government officials regularly maintained contact with members of the
United States Congress. In October 2019, the Foreign Minister of Artsakh noted that the authorities of the Republic attach great importance to the relations between Artsakh and the United States at various levels. The Minister also stated his appreciation of the United States for financial aid and support for the peaceful resolution of the conflict, and hoped for further developing cooperation during a meeting with US Congress members.[30]
In October 2012, the
Australian state of
New South Wales recognized Nagorno-Karabakh[49] however it was reaffirmed by the Australian
Foreign Minister in November 2015 that the federal government of the
Commonwealth of Australia does not, and supports Azerbaijan's claim to the state.[50] In 2017, The
Australian Greens Party announced that it recognizes the Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh).[51][52] In October 2020,
the New South Wales Legislative Assembly recognized the independence of the Republic of Artsakh, 61 for and 2 against. The motion also condemned the attacks by Azerbaijan and Turkey against the indigenous Armenians of Artsakh during the
2020 Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.[53]
In September 2014, the
Basque parliament adopted a motion supporting Nagorno-Karabakh's right to self-determination.[54] In the
Philippines, various politicians are in favor of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) recognition and have suggested for the cooperation of
ASEAN (which includes ten Southeast Asian nations) in the recognition of the country, however, the current administration has yet to prioritize the issue due to an ongoing drug war and a shift to federalism.[55]
Before California recognized Nagorno-Karabakh in May 2014, three places within the state had already recognized it:
In November 2019, the
French Communist Party urged the French Government to recognize the independence of Artsakh.[61] On 25 November 2020, the
French Senate adopted a resolution to recognize the independence of Artsakh.
On 24 October 2020, Nadia de León, the President of the
Central American Parliament announced her support for the right of self-determination of Artsakh.[67]
On 5 November 2020, the city of
Laval in
Quebec recognized the independence of Artsakh.[68]
On 13 November 2020, the legislature of
Uruguay's
Montevideo Department unanimously recognized the independence of the Republic of Artsakh.[69]
Visa requirements for Artsakh citizens
As Artsakh was not recognized by the majority of countries of the world (with the exceptions of
Abkhazia,
South Ossetia and
Transnistria, all of which are also mostly unrecognized), an
Artsakh passport was not valid for travel to most countries in the world. However, as
dual nationality is permitted, most citizens of Artsakh were entitled to an
Armenian passport.
All members of the
Community for Democracy and Rights of Nations have agreed to abolish visa requirements for each other's citizens. Artsakh passports could be used to travel to
South Ossetia[70] and
Transnistria.[71] Artsakh signed a visa-waiver agreement with
Abkhazia on 22 February 2016 and the agreement went into effect on 1 April 2016.[72] Citizens of Artsakh could also travel visa-free to neighboring
Armenia.
Inter-parliamentary relations
On 26 February 2013, a parliamentary friendship group was established between the Republic of Artsakh and the
Parliament of
Lithuania.[73]
On 19 March 2013, a parliamentary friendship group was established with parliament members and senators of
France.
In October 2014, a parliamentary friendship group was established between Artsakh and the
European Parliament.[74]
On 19 March 2019, an Artsakh-
Canada Friendship Group was established between the National Assembly of Artsakh and the
House of Commons of Canada.[75]
On 1 August 2019, an Artsakh-
Australia Friendship Group was established between Artsakh and various Australian politicians including Federal Parliament Senators and Ministers, as well as the Premier of the State of
New South Wales.[75]
On 8 December 2019, Artsakh National Assembly Speaker Ashot Ghulyan received First Vice President of
Guatemala’s Congress, Felipe Alejos Lorenzana. The sides discussed establishing inter-parliamentary ties.[76]
In June 2020, a parliamentary friendship group was established between the Republic of Artsakh and members of the
Parliament of
Cyprus.[77]
In October 2017, the President of Artsakh,
Bako Sahakyan visited the
European Friends of Armenia (EuFoA) headquarters in Belgium. A number of issues were discussed including relations between Artsakh and the EU. The President thanked EuFoA for reinforcing ties between Artsakh and various
pan-European structures.[78]
Artsakh officials also had regular contact with the
Council of Europe. In October 2019, the Human Rights Defender of the Republic of Artsakh, Artak Beglaryan, held a number of meetings with high-ranking officials of the Council of Europe in
Strasbourg. Possible areas of cooperation between Artsakh and the
Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe as well as the need to ensure international engagement of unrecognized states was discussed.[80]
International conventions
In addition to the above, Artsakh was also a signatory to several international conventions and treaties, including:[81]
There were numerous settlements in the territory with standing links to local communities in other countries. These links are known as "
town twinning" (usually in Europe) or "sister cities" (usually in the rest of the world).
^"Full Day Hansard Transcript".
Parliament of New South Wales. 2012-10-25. Archived from
the original on 2013-03-14. Retrieved 2012-11-14. ...calls on the Commonwealth Government to officially recognise the independence of the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh and strengthen Australia's relationship with the Nagorno-Karabakh and its citizens.
^Hughes, James (2002). Ethnicity and Territory in the Former Soviet Union: Regions in Conflict. London: Cass. p. 211.
ISBN978-0-7146-8210-5. Indeed, Nagorno-Karabakh is de facto part of Armenia.
^Mulcaire, Jack (9 April 2015).
"Face Off: The Coming War between Armenia and Azerbaijan". The National Interest.
Archived from the original on 3 January 2017. Retrieved 8 April 2016. The mostly Armenian population of the disputed region now lives under the control of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, a micronation that is supported by Armenia and is effectively part of that country.
^"Armenia expects Russian support in Karabakh war". Hürriyet Daily News. 20 May 2011.
Archived from the original on 2 October 2013. Retrieved 25 June 2013. While internationally recognized as Azerbaijani territory, the enclave has declared itself an independent republic but is administered as a de facto part of Armenia.
^Central Asia and The Caucasus, Information and Analytical Center, 2009, Issues 55-60, Page 74, "Nagorno-Karabakh became de facto part of Armenia (its quasi-statehood can dupe no one) as a result of aggression."
^Cornell, Svante (2011). Azerbaijan Since Independence. New York: M.E. Sharpe. p. 135.
ISBN978-0-7656-3004-9. Following the war, the territories that fell under Armenian control, in particular Mountainous Karabakh itself, were slowly integrated into Armenia. Officially, Karabakh and Armenia remain separate political entities, but for most practical matters the two entities are unified.
^Wright, Pam. "Montebello's newest Sister City program has come under fire from an ambassador for the Republic of Azerbaijan." Whittier Daily News. November 19, 2005.