Armenia’s Ruling Coalition will Not Vote in Bill to Recognize Karabakh’s Independence

The member parties of Armenia’s parliamentary coalition — the Republican Party of Armenia, Prosperous Armenia and Rule of Law — are convinced that there is no alternative to the international recognition of the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh (NKR). This fact is noted in the joint statement signed by party leaders Galust Sahakyan (Republican Party), Gagik Tsarukyan (Prosperous Armenia) and Heghine Bisharyan (Rule of Law). The document was disseminated during the decision to delay the bill put forth by the Heritage Party to recognize NKR’s independence on the parliamentary agenda. 

“Defending the efforts and initiatives aimed at the international recognition of NKR, we are convinced that the unilateral move by the Republic of Armenia to recognize NKR at this time does not arise from the constructive stance adopted by the Republic of Armenia President Serzh Sargsyan, which is supported by the parliamentary coalition, in the negotiating process occurring within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group,” reads the statement. 

The coalition will take the step toward recognizing NKR’s independence if “the negotiating process fails, endangering the security of the people of Artsakh [NKR].”

At this time, the ruling coalition group is saying that it will not be participating in the vote on the bill to recognize the independence of the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh.