Will Armenia recognise NKR independence?
"The Nagorno Karabakh Republic wants Armenia to recognise NKR independence and wants to be engaged in the negotiations over the Karabakh conflict resolution," says Leader of the Heritage faction Armen Martirosyan. He drew the conclusion after his recent visit to Nagorno Karabakh. Last week the Heritage Leader paid a two-day visit to the NKR with the Armenian parliamentary delegation.
"As an independent country Nagorno Karabakh wants to become a side of negotiations as was before 1998, during Robert Kocharian's presidency.
Will Karabakhi people agree if the Armenian leadership make concessions on the Karabakh issue?
I think they won't. They complain as they are not involved in the negotiations and in fact do not have the slightest notion of the talks.
May Armenia recognise Karabakh's independence at present?
I doubt that it is possible. Still a year ago Raffi Hovannisian submitted to the Armenian parliament a bill on the recognition of NKR independence. The moment was opportune as the issue of Kosovo, Abkhazia and South Ossetia was still unsettled. There were all necessary prerequisites for their recognition and it was urgent that Armenia recognise Karabakh's independence first to signal the beginning of the process of recognitions. But the National Assembly turned it down.
It is already a year since Kosovo proclaimed independence. Over 54 countries have recognised the country's independence. If Armenia recognises NKR independence, will the scene of Kosovo repeat here?
We cannot say for sure. But if we work with the countries that have recognised the Armenian Genocide, they will likely recognise Karabakh's independence as well. Besides, the recognition of NKR independence will benefit Armenia from the legal point of view. Being official sides of talks, Armenia and Karabakh can sign numerous agreements on security and economic issues.
Will the Heritage again raise the issue of the recognition of Karabakh's independence?
No, as we don't want the bill to be rejected again. I think it is needless as last year we realised that our parliamentarians turned down the bill out of envy or something like that. We don't want the bill to have the same fate this year.
Karine Asatryan
