Lawmakers in the U.S. state of Rhode Island have passed a resolution calling on President Barack Obama and the U.S. Congress to recognize Nagorno-Karabakh, the predominantly ethnic-Armenian separatist enclave in Azerbaijan.
The resolution, adopted by the state's House of Representatives, encourages Nagorno-Karabakh's "efforts to develop as a free and independent nation."
Robert Avetisyan, Nagorno-Karabakh's self-styled U.S. representative, voiced hope that the resolution would inspire other legislatures in the United States and elsewhere to adopt similar measures.
Armenia and Azerbaijan have been in conflict for around three decades over the territory, with a fragile cease-fire holding since 1994 after Armenians seized control of most of Nagorno-Karabakh.
Internationally mediated negotiations have failed to result in a resolution.
The resolution, adopted by the state's House of Representatives, encourages Nagorno-Karabakh's "efforts to develop as a free and independent nation."
Robert Avetisyan, Nagorno-Karabakh's self-styled U.S. representative, voiced hope that the resolution would inspire other legislatures in the United States and elsewhere to adopt similar measures.
Armenia and Azerbaijan have been in conflict for around three decades over the territory, with a fragile cease-fire holding since 1994 after Armenians seized control of most of Nagorno-Karabakh.
Internationally mediated negotiations have failed to result in a resolution.
