If the Republic of Armenia recognized the independence of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (Artsakh), Artsakh could have acquired immunity of peace, says Ruben Hakobyan, Head of the Heritage parliamentary group.
At the same time, he does not exclude that the recognition implies certain risks. "However, if Armenia initiated the international recognition of the NKR, it would be our greatest acquisition in the international arena."
The Heritage official says this is especially important in the context of recent developments (he meant the deal between Azerbaijan and Hungary which resulted in the extradition of Azerbaijani axe-killer Ramil Safarov).
"It was a treacherous and monstrous deal. Now we have a unique opportunity to call for the recognition of the NKR independence, given the fact that Azerbaijan is continually seeding hatred towards Armenians. Let us not forget that Azerbaijan's step includes elements of murder motivated by ethnic reasons," Mr. Hakobyan told reporters in the National Assembly.
"Though representatives of the Armenian National Congress (HAK) oppose the idea, the issue of the NKR recognition has been on the political agenda since 1992," he stressed.
"Today many members of the Pan-Armenian National Movement (HHSh), who once disapproved the idea, regret missing the opportunity in the past. I do believe that in the future the same will happen to the Republican Party of Armenia (HHK) and its members will regret that they were against the idea. The HHSh has genetic fears that the Karabakh peace talks might reach a deadlock," said Mr. Hakobyan.
Speaking about [Heritage Leader] Raffi Hovannisian's decision to lay down his mandate and the allegations that Hovannisian might be replaced by Anahit Bakhshyan, another representative of the party, Ruben Hakobyan said, "The person coming next in the party list, Tevan Poghosyan, will likely fill the seat. So far, there have been no changes in the list."
