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Speaker of the National Assembly of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic (NKR) Ashot Ghulyan yesterday held a meeting with the representatives of the Basque Country, namely former member of the European Parliament Iñaki Irazabalbeitia Fernández, former MP of Spain and Basque Country Rafa Larreina, Secretary of the Foreign Relations Committee of the Basque Nationalist Party Jose Maria Echeverría and member of the European Free Alliance Lorena Lopez de Lacalle. As the Press Service of the NKR Parliament told Panorama.am, the NA Speaker expressed his gratitude for accepting the invitation of carrying out observation mission in Artsakh and noted that any such event, be it a referendum or election, is a political test foe a young state.

Thanking for the reception, Iñaki Irazabalbeitia underscored that Artsakh and the Basque Country share the same values regarding peace and democracy.

“Here we see genuine democracy and freedom of speech,” former MP noted.

Presenting her observations during the referendum member of the European Free Alliance Lorena Lopez de Lacalle noted that she attended 14 polling stations during the Election Day and witnessed functioning democracy.

“Here we observe democratic elements and values that lack in our country. I am especially delighted with Article 36 of the Draft Constitution, which states that if the child is solvent, he is obliged to take care of his/her parents. Those are high values that unfortunately have completely disappeared in our state,” Lorena Lopez highlighted.

Secretary of the Foreign Relations Committee of the Basque Nationalist Party Jose Maria Echeverría, who visited NKR for the first time, underscored the experience he acquired during those days in Artsakh.

“Today I realized that it does not matter if you gave natural resources or not, if you are rich or poor, the most important thing is stability in beliefs and values, which you have. Regardless of all the deprivations and losses, you have maintained your identity and are in control of your destiny. We are ready to assist you in protecting your right to self -determination,” Jose Maria Echeverría said.