SYDNEY: More than 150 Sydney Armenians gathered at the Armenian Cultural Centre to welcome and hear from the Hon. Armen Sargsyan, who presented on the current situation in Nagorno Karabakh.
Sargsyan, a Member of Parliament of the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh and former Minister of Culture, Youth Affairs and Sport, covered a wide range of issues including the current state of the Republic, recent Azeri provocations, the peace process, international recognition and economic development.
During his presentation, Sargsyan provided first-hand accounts utilising his extensive knowledge of the region and political experience allowing the audience to engage with an authority on the topics presented. Sargsyan acknowledged that Nagorno Karabakh is under constant military threats from Azerbaijan resulting in the extreme volatility in the region.
He said: "The people of Nagorno Karabakh live with the daily rhetoric of war being announced from the regime in Azerbaijan. The international community must immediately denounce the provocations of Azerbaijian'.
Utilising visual images, Sargsyan explained that the issue of Nagorno Karabakh is not a new phenomenon but one which dates back as far back as 1918 when its own people exercised their right to self-determination.
"The time has come for the international community to stop playing politics and recognise the territorial integrity of Nagorno-Karabakh," Sargsyan added.
In closing remarks after the presentation, ANC Australia Executive Director Vache Kahramanian thanked Sargsyan.
He said: "Nagorno Karabakh is at the forefront of the diaspora's mind and the Armenian National Committee of Australia, through our work, will assist Karabakh is any way possible."
