British Embassy on Visit of Separatist Leader to London

Official London does not recognize the so-called Nagorno-Karabakh Republic and the visit of the Karabakh separatists to the UK is private. Turan was told in the British Embassy, commenting on Saakyan’s visit by the invitation of the British Royal Institute of International Affairs Chatham House.

"Responding to the media inquiries on Bako Sahakyan's visit to London, we would like to say that '' The UK does not recognise the self-proclaimed" Nagorno Karabakh Republic "and the UK Government has no contact with any of its representatives. Mr Sahakyan is travelling to the UK independently and the UK Government has no role in his visit. Chatham House is an independent institution and makes it own decisions about who to invite to its events. The UK Government has no influence over these decisions, nor should it, given our respect for the freedom of action of Non-Governmental Organisations,'' the Embassy said.

"Britain does not recognize the self-proclaimed" Nagorno Karabakh Republic ", and the British government has no contact with any of his representatives.

Mr. Sahakyan is traveling to the UK alone, and the British government has no role in his visit.

Chatham House is an independent institution and independently make decisions about who to invite to your event.

The UK government has no influence on these decisions, given our respect for the freedom of action of non-governmental organizations '' - said in comments embassy.

Sahakyan was invited to a hearing on the situation around Nagorno-Karabakh, regional security and relations between different actors, which will be held on July 8 in London. Chatham House presents him as "the president of the de facto Nagorno-Karabakh Republic."

It is noteworthy that although the British government dissociates itself from the visit of Sahakyan, the separatist leader was issued a visa by the diplomatic service of the United Kingdom. -06D-