Foreign relations of Artsakh
The Republic of Artsakh is a republic with limited recognition in the South Caucasus region. The Republic of Artsakh controls most of the territory of the former Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast and some of the surrounding area. It is recognized by only three other non-UN member states, Abkhazia, South Ossetia and Transnistria. The rest of the international community recognizes Artsakh as part of Azerbaijan. In November 2012, a member of Uruguay's foreign relations committee stated that his country could recognize Nagorno-Karabakh's independence. In 2012, Armenia and Tuvalu established diplomatic relations and it was perceived that Tuvalu may recognize Nagorno Karabakh's independence. Also in 2012, the Parliament of New South Wales, an Australian state, called upon the Australian government to recognise Nagorno-Karabakh. In September 2014, the Basque Parliament in Spain adopted a motion supporting Artsakh's right to self-determination and in November 2014, the Parliament of Navarre, also in Spain, issued a statement supporting Artsakh's inclusion in taking part in settlement negotiations.
At the present, no diplomatic missions of other countries exist in Artsakh. On the other hand, the Republic has built a small network of representative offices around the world. Currently it has representative offices in 7 countries.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Foreign policy of the state is governed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Republic of Artsakh. The Ministry is based in the capital city of Stepanakert. Currently, the Minister is Masis Mayilyan.Bilateral relations
Abkhazia
The Republic of Artsakh and the partially recognized Republic of Abkhazia recognized each other. Both states abolished visa requirements for its citizens and participate in the Community for Democracy and Rights of Nations.Australia
In 2012, the Parliament of New South Wales, an Australian state, called upon the Australian government to recognize Artsakh. Artsakh maintains a Representative Office in Sydney, Australia.Armenia
Artsakh has very close relations with Armenia. It functions as a de facto part of Armenia. A representative office of Nagorno-Karabakh was established in Yerevan.Europe
The Republic of Artsakh maintains three representative offices in Europe, including Berlin, Paris, and Moscow.Lebanon
The Republic of Artsakh maintains a Representative office in Lebanon's capital, Beirut. In March 2018, Artsakh president Bako Sahakyan visited Lebanon and met with Catholicos Aram I, the head of the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia of the Armenian Apostolic Church. In May 2018, representatives of the Artsakh city of Martakert and the Lebanese town of Bourj Hammoud signed a Memorandum of Cooperation in the latter town.South Ossetia
The Republic of Artsakh and partially recognized Republic of South Ossetia recognized each other. Both states abolished visa requirements for its citizens and participate in the Community for Democracy and Rights of Nations.Transnistria
Republic of Artsakh and Transnistria recognized each other and abolished visa requirements for their citizens. There are 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. Transnistria also participates in the Community for Democracy and Rights of Nations.United States
has not established diplomatic relations with the Republic of Artsakh and recognizes it as part of Azerbaijan. Support for Artsakh in the United States is manifested above all at the state legislature level. Several of them have 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 Republic of Artsakh. On August 2012, the Massachusetts House of Representatives passed a similar resolution. In April 2013, the Maine House of Representatives and Senate in the United States passed a resolution accepting Artsakh's independence and urging President Barack Obama to also accept Artsakh's independence. In May 2013, the Louisiana State Senate in the United States 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. In May 2014, the California State Assembly passed a measure recognizing Artsakh's independence with a 70–1 vote. The measure also calls for President Barack Obama and the U.S. Congress to recognize Republic of Artsakh. The US state of Hawaii unanimously voted to approve and recognize the Republic of Artsakh on March 30, 2016. The Republic of Artsakh has also established a representative office in Washington, D.C.In addition, Artsakh government officials regularly maintain 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, support for the peaceful resolution of the conflict and hoped for further developing cooperation during a meeting with US Congress members.
Independence recognition efforts
Non-UN member states
U.S. states
| Passed a bill recognizing Artsakh | Rejected a bill recognizing Azerbaijani territorial integrity | Rejected a bill recognizing Artsakh | Passed a bill recognizing Azerbaijani territorial integrity |
 Minnesota | |
Other
In October 2012, the Australian state of New South Wales recognized Nagorno-Karabakh 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. In 2017, The Australian Greens announced that they recognize The Republic of Artsakh.In September 2014, the Basque parliament adopted a motion supporting Nagorno-Karabakh's right to self-determination. In the Philippines, various politicians are in favor of Artsakh recognition and have suggested for the cooperation of ASEAN 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.
Before California recognized Nagorno-Karabakh in May 2014, three places within the state had already recognized it:
Highland is twinned with Berdzor. Montebello is twinned with Stepanakert.
In November 2019, the French Communist Party urged the French Government to recognize the independence of Artsakh.
Inter-parliamentary relations
- On 26 February 2013, a parliamentary friendship group was established between the Republic of Artsakh and the Parliament of Lithuania.
- 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.
- In October 2017, parliamentary friendship groups were established with both the Parliament of Wallonia and Flemish Parliament in Belgium.
- In June 2020, a parliamentary friendship group was established between the Republic of Artsakh and members of the Parliament of Cyprus.
International organisation participation
- The Republic of Artsakh is a member of one international organization, the Community for Democracy and Human Rights, also commonly known as the Commonwealth of Unrecognized States.
- The Republic of Artsakh also maintains contacts with the OSCE Minsk Group established in 1992 by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe to encourage a peaceful, negotiated resolution to the conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia over Artsakh.
- In October 2017, the President of Artsakh, Bako Sahakyan visited the European Friends of Armenia headquarters in Belgium. A number of issues were discussed including relations between Artsakh and the EU. The President thanked EuFoA for reinforcing ties between Artaskh and various pan-European structures.
- In March 2019, the Speaker of the National Assembly, Ashot Ghulian met with European Parliament members in Brussels, during which he explored opportunities to include Artsakh in European Union programs. The Speaker also highlighted the necessity to maintain and promote cooperation between the two sides.
- Artsakh officials also have 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.
International conventions
- International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
- International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
- European Convention on Human Rights
Participation in international sports federations
- The Artsakh Football Association is a member of Confederation of Independent Football Associations.
- * Artsakh participated in the 2014 ConIFA World Football Cup in Sweden, the 2015 ConIFA European Football Cup in Hungary and the 2016 ConIFA World Football Cup in Abkhazia
- * In June 2019, the 2019 CONIFA European Football Cup was hosted in Artsakh.
- Artsakh and its citizens also participate in the Pan-Armenian Games.