YEREVAN. – If Armenia recognizes independence of Nagorno-Karabakh, NKR may join the Customs Union, former envoy said.

Vyacheslav Kovalenko, former Russian Ambassador to Armenia, participated in the Friday’s Yerevan-Moscow live television link discussion dedicated to Armenia and the Customs Union.

“The Karabakh issue is complicated as Nagorno-Karabakh has its own status of independent territory, an independent state. This definitely imposes obligations on Armenia itself: Armenia is faced with a problem whether to recognize or not to recognize Nagorno-Karabakh. If Armenia recognizes Nagorno-Karabakh, then we will talk about NKR’s participation in the Customs Union,” former ambassador said.

However, the diplomat did not specify whether the matter involves recognition of NKR by Russia.