By Emil Danielyan
Official Yerevan made it clear on Friday that it has no plans to recognize the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic as an independent state despite pressure from a major opposition party. “The recognition of Nagorno-Karabakh by Armenia has always been and remains
in Armenia's diplomatic arsenal,” Vladimir Karapetian, a spokesman for the Armenian Foreign Ministry, said in a statement. “That must come at a time when it can be maximally effective and can help achieve a lasting resolution.”
“That time has not yet come,” he added.
The comments came in response to a draft law circulated earlier this week by Raffi Hovannisian, the leader of the opposition Zharangutyun party. The bill, if passed, will obligate the Armenian government to officially recognize Karabakh’s independence.
Leaders of the pro-government majority in the Armenian parliament were quick to speak out against the bill, saying that it would only undermine international efforts to resolve the Karabakh conflict. Orinats Yerkir, the second opposition party represented in the National Assembly, also refused to back Hovannisian’s initiative.
(Photolur photo: Vladimir Karapetian.)