STEPANAKERT.- Armenia should immediately recognize independence of Nagorno-Karabakh, Russian political analyst Aleksey Martinov said during a conference in Stepanakert.

Martinov, Director of International Institute of the Newest States, said recognition by Armenia will mark the end of confrontation and at the same time will prevent a new one.

Many in Nagorno-Karabakh have no doubt that if the situation remains the same, Azerbaijan will try to return Karabakh by force, Martinov said.

“Recognition of Karabakh is in Armenia’s interests. In this case it will get rid of leverage,” he added. Azerbaijan’s attempts to begin hostilities will not receive approval from the international community.

In this regard, the expert expressed confidence that Azerbaijan must begin to develop relations with Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh, given that the current arms race initiated by Azerbaijan is a serious burden on country’s budget.

 “This does not contribute to the development of Azerbaijan. Recognition of Nagorno-Karabakh will give impetus to the development of the region,” he added. At the moment the peace process reached a stage of making decisions.  First, Armenia should decide. “It may sound strange but it is in the interests of Azerbaijan,” he concluded.

Armenian News-NEWS.am is the information partner of the conference dedicated to 20th anniversary of Nagorno-Karabakh’s independence.