Head of the faction of the HHK (Republican Party of Armenia) Galust Sahakyan believes that the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic is the most democratic country in the region.
"Karabakh proved to the world that Armenians are a force that can have their place and role in the international community. We are strong in our policy with Karabakh as well. Today, the people of Karabakh instill self-confidence in each person who visits Karabakh at least once a year," Mr. Sahakyan told "A1+" on the occasion of Karabakh's independence.
The head of the faction doesn't believe that Armenia made a mistake by not recognizing the independence of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. "That is a misunderstanding. Karabakh is on Armenia's political agenda. Armenia's recognition will violate the rules of the game. We are involved in Karabakh's issues. Karabakh is ours and vice-versa and the ideology is at a much higher level than the problems that can cause discrepancies."
Head of the "Zharangutyun" (Heritage) faction Stepan Safaryan finds that Armenia is neglecting the independence of the NKR by not recognizing it. "Whereas groups in Armenia's political elite that underestimate NKR's independence and view Artsakh as simply Armenia's province, "Zharangutyun" looks at that seriously and realizes that the citizens of the NKR are first ones who know the value of independence." On behalf of "Zharangutyun", Stepan Safaryan is calling on all political powers to join their party and recognize NKR's independence.
Armenia must follow Turkey
Former NKR Minister of Foreign Affairs Arman Melikyan believes that the fact that Azerbaijan declared its independence in late August 1991 must be taken into account. "From this angle, Karabakh's independence was more of a defensive act. On that day, Karabakh declared its independence and included the sub-region of Getashen and the Shahumyan region. Karabakh's independence must also be viewed in the context of Armenia's declaration of independence. Until that day, the Karabakh movement was proceeding with the slogan "Unification". But when it became clear that Armenia was going to declare its independence within the limits of Soviet Armenia, the unification became problematic."
The former NKR Minister of Foreign Affairs believes that Armenia must recognize Karabakh's independence, but it should not be a one-time process. "We must be able to normalize mutual relations. The opponents of recognition ask what Turkey got out of recognizing Cyprus. It legalized its relations with Cyprus and was able to allocate its armed forces in the country. Today Armenia can't ensure the presence of armed forces in an open NKR and that is the number one issue."
Against the idea of two Armenian states
Commander of Shushi's separate squadron Jirair Sefilyan was against Karabakh's independence from the start. "I was only in favor of the idea of unification. For over 18 years, neither the Armenian authorities nor the NKR authorities have taken serious actions for international recognition of the NKR."
Sefilyan says having two Armenian states may do much harm in the sense of the nation.
"The parliaments of Armenia and the NKR must work together to establish "unification" in the legal field and then start the process of prescribing that unification at the international level."
Sefilyan says the current Armenian authorities can't implement that plan. "These authorities can only do one thing-the sooner they leave, the better for the people."