February 9, Ashot Ghoulyan, President of the National Assembly received the Republic of Armenia National Assembly President Ararat Mirzoyan, who arrived in Artsakh on a working visit.

Welcoming the Head of the RA Parliament, Ashot Ghoulyan once again congratulated the NA President on assuming the high and responsible position and wished him productive work. The Republic of Artsakh President of the Parliament expressed hope that through the acquaintance with the new staff of the legislative body of Armenia the cooperation formed during the previous years will be expanded.

Expressing gratitude for the invitation, Ararat Mirzoyan attached importance to the tradition existing in bilateral relations, according to which the RA NA Presidents make their first visits to Artsakh and expressed conviction that the cooperation between the two Armenian parliaments will be strengthened by the joint efforts.

Then there was an enlarged meeting with the participation of the Presidents of the Parliaments of the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Artsakh and parliamentarians of the Republic of Artsakh NA.

The President of the Armenian legislative body has underlined the importance of the format of frank discussions on the issues of national concern, joint conclusions and joint decisions.

The parties discussed the current stage of the negotiation process, foreign policy priorities of Armenia, the implementation of the government program of education and IT spheres, and made recommendations regarding the military agreement between Artsakh and Armenia.

Summing up the meeting, the Head of the National Assembly of the Republic of Artsakh, Ashot Ghoulyan noted that the sides reached an agreement to discuss the possibilities of organizing the upcoming session of the Inter-Parliamentary Committee and the scope of issues to be included in the agenda.

Then a briefing was held by the NA President of the Republic of Armenia.

In the morning, Ararat Mirzoyan and his wife visited the Stepanakert memorial complex, paid tribute to the memory of the soldiers killed in the Artsakh war, then at the military-sports lyceum named after Christopher Ivanyan got acquainted with everyday life and educational programs of the institution.

In the afternoon, the Head of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia, accompanied by the head of the Artsakh Republic Parliament, visited the Cathedral of Saint Christ the Savior, as well as the Museum of Fine Arts and the Museum of Geology in Shushi.