Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and newly elected Artsakh President Arayik Harutyunyan met today in Stepanakert according to a statement released by Pashinyan’s office.

"Mr. Prime Minister, first, I would like to thank you for attending my inauguration ceremony and for the words and thoughts you expressed. They were the sincere words of the country's leader. I want to state today that I am ready to share the burden and problems facing the Armenian people and the Armenian world today. I thank you for your participation,” Harutyunyan said.

"I thank you, Mr. President. First, let me congratulate you once again on your election as President of the Artsakh Republic. Yesterday, impressive events took place, impressive in terms of content. While walking here, I noted that there is an exceptionally good environment in Artsakh, and I think that our task is to maintain and to develop it. And, of course, I consider it especially important that there is effective cooperation between the Armenian and Artsakh authorities. All the conditions for this exist,” Pashinyan said.

"I definitely agree with you, Mr. Prime Minister. I view our society as a united entity. There is no distinction between the people of Armenia and Artsakh. What exists is the Armenian people and based on that principle we must maintain the current environment and develop it,” Harutyunyan said.

Afterwards, Nikol Pashinyan and Arayik Harutyunyan continued the meeting with the participation of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Armenia and Artsakh, Zohrab Mnatsakanyan and Masis Mailyan.

Photo (from left): Nikol Pashinyan, Arayik Harutyunyan