Bill to Recognize Artsakh Will Not Be on Government Agenda
National Assembly of Armenia
YEREVAN (ArmRadio)—The Armenian National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Foreign Relations withheld support to the bill on Recognition of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic co-authored by MPs Zaruhi Postanjyan and Hrant Bagratyan.
After being considered at the parliamentary panel, the bill was discussed at the National Assembly, but will not be put on the agenda of the plenary session.
The Republican Party, Prosperous Armenia and Orinats Yerkir factions did not participate in the voting, declaring that despite their support for the initiative, they consider it inexpedient at this point.
“The Nagorno-Karabakh Republic is a full-fledged state and this is a fact,” Head of the Foreign Relations Committee Artak Zakaryan said. He added, however, that “unilateral steps that would put all of us in an awkward situation” are not necessary now.
Head of Prosperous Armenia faction Naira Zohrabyan said “the issue is a delicate and sensitive one and is of great value.”
“We all stand for recognition, but we should be guided by the principle ‘don’t harm’,” she added.
“Although the Armenian Revolutionary Federation has always voted for similar bills, it considers that the step should be a unanimous one,” Head of ARF faction Armen Rustamyan said. According to him, it’s up to negotiators to say when it’s the right time to recognize the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic.
The MPs advised the co-authors to postpone the vote, but the offer was turned down. With 12 votes in favor, no cons and abstentions, the bill was not put on the agenda of the session.
The recognition of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic is not expedient at this point, Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Shavarsh Kocharyan said during the discussion of the draft at the National Assembly.
According to Kocharyan, the recognition could harm the negotiation process.
The Deputy Foreign Minister noted however, that speaking about negotiations is untimely, adding that it’s first of all necessary to ensure a stable ceasefire and implement confidence-building measures.
