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The Glendale City Council on Wednesday signed an agreement establishing a sister-city relationship between Glendale and Martuni, Artsakh in the presence of Artsakh's Foreign Minister David Babayan currently in the United States on a working visit, reported the Armenian National Committee of America – Glendale (ANCA-Glendale).

The Glendale-Martuni Sister-City Agreement was introduced by Mayor Ardashes Kassakhian and seconded by Councilmember Ara Najarian, passing with unanimous support on August 23, 2022.

“Glendale City Council is proud to stand firmly in solidarity with the people of Armenia and Artsakh amidst Azerbaijan’s unprovoked assault on Armenia,” remarked Mayor Ardashes Kassakhian. “With the signing of the Glendale-Martuni Sister City agreement, in the presence of Artsakh’s Foreign Minister David Babayan, we express our commitment to the right to self-determination for the Armenians of Artsakh, and state in no uncertain terms that Azerbaijan must be held accountable for its unabated aggression against the Armenian people – and urge the U.S. to take immediate steps to condemn Azerbaijan’s aggression, enforce restrictions on military aid to Baku, and provide urgent humanitarian relief to the at-risk Armenian population of Artsakh as they face a threat to their very existence.”

In order to foster ties between the two cities, the ANCA Glendale chapter announced the launch of the Glendale-Martuni Sister City Association – to facilitate cultural, educational, and humanitarian exchanges between Glendale and Martuni.

“By signing this agreement in the presence of Artsakh’s Foreign Minister David Babayan, Glendale City Council sends a powerful message of solidarity and hope to the Armenians of Artsakh – who continue to face a dire threat to their very existence,” remarked ANCA Glendale Chair Lucy Petrosian. “By launching the Glendale-Martuni Sister City Association, we look forward to working with a broad cross-section of Glendale’s Armenian community to build bridges with our compatriots in Martuni, and provide assistance and support to those in need,” she concluded.