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A Los Angeles City Council and California State Assembly delegation visiting the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic attended a ceremony Monday to inaugurate the Los Angeles Friendship Park in Shushi that boasts a statue of an angel—a symbol of the two cities, reported the Artsakh Foreign Ministry, according to Asbarez News. 

Residents of Shushi, as well as city officials there flocked to the park for the opening ceremony.

In his remarks, City Councilman Paul Krekorian emphasized the importance of expanding and strengthening relations with the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic and the city of Shushi.

Also speaking at the event was Shushi regional governor Vladimir Kassian and Shushi Mayor Artsvik Sarksyan.

The delegation of state and local officials from California, who are being accompanied by leaders of the Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region, on Sunday arrived in the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, where they were greeted by the President Bako Sahakian and other cabinet members.

During a meeting at the presidential office, the sides discussed strengthening of relations between the State of California and Artsakh, specifically within the economic and cultural spheres as well as to development of democratic institutions.

Sahakian stressed that the Nagono-Karabakh Republic was interested in expanding cooperation with California.

On Monday, the delegation visited the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic Parliament, where Speaker Ashot Ghulian hosted the delegation.

Assembly member Cheryl Brown addressed the full session of the Artsakh Parliament, as did ANCA-WR Board chairwomen Nora Hovsepian.

Issues related to the resolution of the Karabakh conflict were discussed, as were strengthening cooperation with legislative entities in California.

The delegation includes Assembly members Katcho Achajian, Cheryl R. Brown, Adrin Nazarian and Scott Wilk. A Los Angeles City Council delegation also visiting Armenia includes Bob Blumenfield and Paul Krekorian and staff.

The Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region played a key role in organizing the delegation visit to Armenia and was represented by its board chairwoman Nora Hovsepian and Executive Director Elen Asatryan.