On October 7-11 a numerous group of Azerbaijani journalists visited Mountainous Karabagh and Armenia. The trip was organized on the OSCE initiative, in particular, the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Amb. Andrzej Kasprzyk. A similar action was planned to be held in March this year, however, for various reasons, the visit did not take place. The Azerbaijani delegation was rather impressively represented by the leading media of the country: the State TV and Radio Company of Azerbaijan, “Space” and “Leader” private TV companies, “Echo”, “Zerkalo”, “Xalq Gazeti”, “Yeni Musavat”, “Azerbaijan”, “Azadlig”, “Kaspij” newspapers, “Turan” and “France Presse” news agencies.
In Stepanakert, the representatives of ”the fourth estate” of Azerbaijan were received by the MK President Arkady Ghukasian, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Naira Melkumian, the Archbishop of Artshakh Diocese of Armenian Apostolic Church Pargev Martirosian. Meetings were held with representatives of NGOs, including a round table where the journalists from Azerbaijan and Karabagh discussed the role of media in the conflict resolution and the possible ways of cooperation. The delegation of Azerbaijan also visited Shushi and Lachin.
Upon their return to Yerevan the representatives of Azerbaijani media met the RA Minister of Foreign Affairs Vardan Oskanian, the RA Minster of Defense Serge Sargsian, the Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on External Relations Hovhannes Hovhannisian. On behalf of the Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II the journalists were also received by Bishop Paren Avetikian.
