YEREVAN, June 9 (RIA Novosti) – Spanish opera singer Montserrat Caballe who was declared persona non grata in Azerbaijan this week has received Armenia’s highest honor from the president, the Armenian leader’s spokesman said on Sunday.
President Serzh Sargsyan gave Caballe the order of honor for “defending Armenia’s state and national interests, for special achievements in establishing independence, democracy as well as for strengthening and developing friendship with the Republic of Armenia and for a significant contribution to peace building between nations,” a spokesman said.
“Armenia is an island of peace and love. You have a wonderful country and people with strong spirits. I will have unforgettable impressions when I leave Armenia and I am sure that my visit will be continued,” the singer said as she received the honor.
Baku declared Caballe persona non grata on Thursday, the next day after she visited Azerbaijan's separatist region of Nagorno-Karabakh and met with the self-proclaimed republic’s head, Bako Sahakyan.
Azerbaijan said the trip was “illegal and harmed peaceful resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.” Baku sent a special note to Spain’s Foreign Ministry demanding explanations.
Relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia have been strained for more than two decades, since the conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, a predominantly ethnic Armenian region, first erupted in 1988. The region then claimed independence from Azerbaijan to join Armenia.
Over 30,000 people are estimated to have died on both sides between 1988 and 1994, when a ceasefire was agreed. Nagorno-Karabakh has remained in Armenian control and tensions between Azerbaijan and Armenia have persisted.
