In the self-declared Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, Reuben Vardanyan has been appointed as State Minister.
Vardanyan, known for his successful business activity in Russia recently renounbced Russian citizenship and said that he will be moving to Nagorno-Karabakh.
As State Minister Vardanyan will co-ordinate most of the government sectors but not military and security issues, which will remain the prerogative of the territory's president, Arayik Harutyunyan.
Vardanyan will oversee Health, Justice, Foreign Affairs, Agriculture, Education, Science, Culture and Sports, Social Development and Migration, Territorial Administration and Infrastructure, Urban Development, Finance and Economy.
The move comes as speculation increases about the future of the territory, which is international recognised as part of Azerbaijan but which has been self-administered by the Armenian community since 1994.
source: commonspace.eu with agencies
photo: Reuben Vaedanyan