Nagorno-Karabakh is still, at the time of writing, a disputed issue between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
As the Soviet Union started to dissolve in the late 1980s, ethnic tension between the predominantly Armenian population of the area and the Azerbaijan SSR was a recurring issue. It broke out into inter-ethnic conflict in February 1988, and open war in 1991, after a referendum (boycotted by Azerbaijanis) led to Nagorno-Karabakh declaring itself an independent republic. A cease-fire was brokered in 1994.
Since then, the conflict has remained "frozen", with continuing sporadic clashes. The OSCE Minsk Group continues mediating with the governments of Armenia and Azerbaijan in the search for a settlement.
In November 2008, Armenia and Azerbaijan signed a joint agreement aimed at resolving their dispute over the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh.
The Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh remains remains unrecognized by any international organization or country, including Armenia.