YEREVAN. – What will Armenia’s recognition of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) give to Karabakh’s population? Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan asked this, during his talk with a group of journalists on Monday, responding to the remark that he had considered as adventurism ex-presidential candidate, opposition Heritage Party leader, former FM Raffi Hovannisian’s demand that Armenia recognize NKR.
“Before reaching a decision, a sensible politician should comprehend what results he will achieve, what price he will pay to carry out this decision,” Sargsyan noted, and asked: “What will the recognition of NKR give to the citizens of Karabakh and Armenia today? Will recognition make the lives of these citizens more secure? Will this decision improve the lives of Karabakh’s residents?”
As per the President, this matter is real.
“What will this decision give to the citizens of Armenia? Will Armenia become more secure? Will Armenia’s international standing elevate? I see nothing that it would give to Armenia’s citizenry, or to Armenia,” he stated.
Reflecting on this matter from the opposite end, Sargsyan specifically noted as follows:
“If we make such decision, the [OSCE Minsk Group brokered peace] talks will be ceased; this will be a slap not solely to the other negotiating side, but also to the [Minsk Group] Co-Chairs. If a war breaks out, will we fight against the whole world on our own? A person needs to understand what war is.”
As per Sargsyan, this was the reason why he harshly reacted to Hovannisian’s aforesaid demand because, according to the President, one cannot think up of a more unwise move.
“But I repeat again. We will recognize NKR’s independence if military operations are launched. We have nothing to lose at that time, and we will state that we are either a united state, or Karabakh is an independent state, and that we are the guarantor of the safety of the population of Karabakh. We will recognize NKR’s independence if Azerbaijan launches military operations, or creates such an inextricable situation that we would have no alternative. In all other cases, it is a betrayal to our soldiers, to our citizenry. We are speaking about emigration [yet] inciting war? We are speaking about democracy yet putting everything at risk with such unwise decision?” Armenia’s President noted.
