Analysts assess prospects of Armenia's recognition of Nagorno-Karabakh independence

Armenia can discuss the issue of recognizing the independence of Nagorno-Karabakh, Prime Minister, Nikol Pashinyan, stated on September 27 at an emergency parliamentary session related to the discussion of the introduction of a state of emergency. The recognition of Nagorno-Karabakh independence by Armenia depends on the scale of aggression, analysts interviewed by the "Caucasian Knot" believe.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on September 27, after the start of fighting in the Karabakh conflict zone, the martial law and general mobilization were declared in Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia. In Azerbaijan, which has called the offensive operation along the entire frontline a response to the shelling of its positions, the martial law and a curfew were introduced since September 28.

The recognition of Nagorno-Karabakh independence by Armenia depends on the scale of aggression and the duration of hostilities, Alexander Iskandaryan, Director of the Caucasus Institute, a political analyst, told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

Mr Iskandaryan has noted that at the moment the Armenian side adheres to military response actions. At the same time, in his words, the escalation on Nagorno-Karabakh border is "extremely acute."

"Azerbaijan had been preparing in advance for military operations in the Artsakh direction (the direction of Nagorno-Karabakh). Actions of this scale cannot be accidental. They are shelling Stepanakert for the first time in the past 26 years," Alexander Iskandaryan has explained.

Tevan Pogosyan, Executive Director of the International Centre for Human Development, a political analyst, believes that Armenia can recognize Nagorno-Karabakh independence, if the Azerbaijani side does not abandon the idea of resolving the conflict by military means.

"Armenia hasn't recognized Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) in order not to harm the negotiation process, within the framework of which the Artsakh's (Nagorno-Karabakh) status should be defined. And if the hostilities don't stop, Armenia has this 'weapon' in its arsenal," he has explained.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on September 28, 2020 at 02:22 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.