French Senator:

"The world community does not recognize independence of Nagornyy Karabakh. At the same time, it does not refuse its existence. This makes the situation uncertain", - Chairman of Financial Commission of the French Senate, Compiegne Mayor, Mr.Philippe Marini, said to journalists in Stepanakert during his fact-finding visit to Nagornyy Karabakh together with other French senators.

He said that all the conditions have been created in Karabakh for 20 years for establishment of democratic institutions. The people of Karabakh can reach their goal- recognition, as all the forces of the country have gathered around this issue and all the rest not so much important problems lag behind it, the senator said and added that European structures should draw more attention to the Karabakh conflict region.

During the meeting with deputies and representatives of the NKR Foreign Ministry, Mr.Marini touched on one of the greatest human tragedies of the 20th century - Armenian genocide and recalled that several month ago both houses of the French parliament adopted the bill on criminalizing of the Armenian genocide denial.

"I have read many researches and books of French scientists about Karabakh, which say that this region populated by Christian Armenians has always been a part of Armenia", - Philippe Marini said and added that in the 20th century the Soviet power was drawing the borders of republics according to the principle "divide and rule", and naturally after the USSR split the Karabakh issue became very much critical, as the Soviet power had purposefully distanced Karabakh from Armenia.

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