YEREVAN.- Minuses of Armenia’s unilateral recognition of Nagorno-Karabakh will be stronger than pluses, Armenian political analyst Richard Giragosian believes.

“Karabakh is not an economically vital entity and, in my view, it must be a part of Armenia. Moreover, most of Armenia’s political elite representatives are natives of Karabakh,” said Giragosian who heads Yerevan-based Regional Studies Center think tank.

According to him, even after Safarov’s release Armenia must not recognize Nagorno-Karabakh but the threat of recognition is a working instrument in talks.

As to military threats voiced by Azerbaijan, Giragosian said threat always exist due to “Baku’s insane dynastic regime” regardless of Armenia’s actions.

“The question on independence recognition must be addressed not to the experts in Yerevan but the people of Nagorno-Karabakh. There is controversy between supporters of joining Armenia and independence within Karabakh,” he told reporters on Tuesday.

Nevertheless, the positive point is that status of Nagorno-Karabakh is decided.

“Karabakh will never be under control of Azerbaijan and will not become more dependent than today,” the analyst added.

After Azerbaijani murderer Ramil Safarov was released on August 31, the opposition Heritage Party voiced the necessity to recognize independence of Nagorno-Karabakh as a response to Baku’s actions.

Photo by Sona Barseghyan