The Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) is in the background now. To a great extent it is due to the fact that the then President of Nagorno-Karabakh (Robert Kocharyan – ed) became President of Armenia, Raffi Hovhannisyan, Chairman of the Heritage Party, told journalists on Oct. 29.

“Thus, the NKR recognition process received a blow. If the NKR wants not only security guarantees, but also independent status, it must take serious steps and try to keep pace with Kosovo. Nagorno-Karabakh must come out of the background,” he said.

As to whether Armenia’s reputation will be damaged of the Armenian Parliament rejects the NKR recognition bill on December 9, Hovhannisyan said: “Of the Armenian Parliament unanimously supports the recognition bill, Armenia will definitely benefit. Otherwise, we will see Armenia votes for the bill without ‘cons’. It will show the issue has not been consigned to oblivion, but remains on Armenia’s agenda. Everyone must understand the bill may be adopted any moment, and the whole nation will benefit – the authorities, the Opposition and the people.”

The issue can be put to the vote without any fears. “We should not be afraid of the international community. There may be negative responses for some time after the NKR is recognized. But the world must know Armenia is an independent country that exercised its right to recognize Nagorno-Karabakh,” Hovhannisyan said.

As to the impact the vote may have on Armenia’s reputation, he said: “The political majority should think of Armenia’s reputation. I daresay the recognition of NKR may damage Armenia’s reputation as well. But I disagree with such assessments. We must recognize the NKR and be ready for negative reaction and resist it unanimously.”