STEPANAKERT (Noyan Tapan)–On July 23–a three-day conference "Women of Nagorno Karabakh for Peace and Peaceful Co-Existence," began in Stepanakert.
The forum–which is organized upon the initiative of the non-governmental organization (NGO) "Democracy Today" with the assistance of the Nagorno Karabakh Ministry of Foreign Affairs assembled about 50 women from Armenia and Karabakh.
After the opening of the conference by Karabakh Foreign Minister Naira Melkoumian–welcoming messages of Nagorno Karabakh President Arkady Ghoukassian and National Assembly Chairman Oleg Yesayan were read.
Having positively estimated the fact of women’s more extensive involvement in the processes of state construction and in the activity of the non-governmental sector–President Ghoukassian noted in his message: "We must welcome it and try our best to involve women in full measure both in governmental structures and social and political organizations.
Foreign Minister Naira Melkoumian–in her speech–pointed out a woman’s important role and significance in the social and political life of the society.
She said–"When our motherland needs creative hands and cordial attitude–the Armenian woman is demanded as before–her role in strengthening peace and democracy immeasurably increases."
Touching upon the settlement of the conflict between Azerbaijan and Karabakh–Minister Melkoumian noted that along with the efforts of the international mediators directed to the resolution of the problem the will and the courage of the societies–involved in the conflict–are demanded–which will let to overcome the mutual intolerance and distrust.
Head of the Nagorno Karabakh Foreign Office expressed hope that the women of Azerbaijan would have an influence upon their government and parliament in order to exclude violence and war as the means of the settlement of mutual relations between Armenian and Azeri peoples. According to the minister–there is no reasonable alternative to constructive dialogue and peaceful co-existence.
"Our vision of peace is the establishment of stability and confidence in the region–and in future – development of integration processes practically in all the spheres of social-economic and political life," Melkoumian said.
Coordinator of the NGO "Democracy Today" Giulnara Shaginian–in her speech–emphasized the inadmissibility of armed conflicts and the necessity of consolidation of the women’s efforts for the purpose of their prevention. Speaking about the democracy in Karabakh.
She also noted that its establishment here is confirmed by the fact that the women in Nagorno Karabakh hold different responsible posts.
On the first day of the conference–more than ten reports and speeches were made and an exchange of opinions took place after the conclusion of each report.