On September 25 a new tradition was established in the National Assembly: Mr. Tigran Torosyan, President of the National Assembly, Mr. Vahan Hovhannisyan and Mr. Ishkhan Zakaryan, NA Vice-Presidents, Heads of the Standing Committees met with Mr. Arkady Ghukasyan, the second President of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic.

Mr. Tigran Torosyan, President of the National Assembly, thanked the second President of the NKR for the great achievements in the political, economic context and, especially, for the establishment of the democracy during ten years of his tenure, which were the hardest period of the formation of the statehood in Artsakh. It was noted that the elections of the local self government, as well as the parliamentary and presidential elections held in the NKR during these years complied with the international standards, and the Constitution of the country has been adopted. Mr. Torosyan emphasized the importance of the experience and skills accumulated by Mr. Arkady Ghukasyan in the post of the president noting that though he could be nominated for the post of the president for the third time but he preferred to respect the accepted principles and standards, strengthening the democratic processes in Artsakh by one more step. Mr. Torosyan expressed a hope that such meetings will become regular.

Mr. Arkady Ghukasyan, the second President of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic, considering the invitation a bit unexpected, expressed willingness to cooperate with the National Assembly, the NA standing committees and the members of the delegations in any status using hisexperience for the sake of the process of the international recognition of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic. Highlighting this meeting, Mr. Ghukasyan expressed a hope that such meetings will become traditional, and they will assist that the heads of the country and high-ranking officials could also pass their experience and knowledge to the acting state structures after their resignation. Arkady Ghukasyan considers that he should stay at the Nagorno Karabakh having left the post of the president, as ceasing to be president he has not ceased to have the responsibility and duties before the country and the people.

The Vice Presidents and heads of the standing committees also highlighted in their speech Mr. Arkady Ghukasyan’s contribution in the formation and establishment of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic, the use of his experience and knowledge.

Mr. Tigran Torosyan, President of the National Assembly, awarded Mr. Arkady Ghukasyan, the second President of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic, Medal of Honor of the National Assembly, for the services rendered before the Motherland and for the prominent successes in the formation of the Nagorno Karabakh qualifying it as an assessment of the present and future successes, the attitude to his activity and devotion to the NKR.