Parliament committee turns down bill on Karabakh recognition

PanARMENIAN.Net - The bill on Armenia's recognition of Nagorno Karabakh's independence didn't receive a positive conclusion from the National Assembly's Foreign Relations Committee.

Following the discussion, the majority of the committee members didn't even participate in the voting, with only one MP, Hamlet Harutyunyan from the ruling Republican Party voting against, and another one, Tevan Poghosyan voting in favor.

According to committee chairman Artak Zakaryan, the bill won't be put on the agenda.

“It’s still not the right time for this, but that time is not far off,” Zakaryan said.

“Generally I agree with the proposal by Zaruhi Postanjyan and Hrant Bagratyan, but this has to be done with a 100% consent, without any discussions.”

Earlier, Deputy Foreign Minister Shavarsh Kocharyan said that Yerevan’s decision to recognize Nagorno Karabakh’s independence will be determined by negotiations between the two Armenian states, also taking into consideration further developments and external factors.

“There is no alternative to a peaceful settlement,” Kocharyan said.

“And if Azerbaijan attempts to avoid reaching a ceasefire and renews aggression, the issue of recognition will certainly be included in the agenda.”

Asked if the recognition would mean an end to the Minsk Group-mediated peace process, Kocharyan said: “It is Azerbaijan’s aggression that would bring the process to an end.”