Heritage Party Expects Ruling Party to ‘Come Around’ on Karabakh Bill

Heritage Party leader Raffi K. Hovannisian hopes that until Dec. 9, the day when the bill on recognizing Nagorno-Karabakh’s independence will be discussed in Armenia’s parliament, the government, by making a substantial review, will develop the issue of unanimous adoption so “that the national bill will be adopted on Dec. 9 in its first reading.” 

“The next day, on Dec. 10, is the ten-year anniversary of the Artsakh [Nagorno-Karabakh] referendum and basically we have a year’s worth of work, so that after Armenia’s recognition or at least after the adoption of the bill after the first reading, we will work with integrated efforts to secure the recognition of the international community and its individual members,” he said. 

Hovannisian noted, however, that Dec. 9 is not an ultimatum, but a deadline and in some way a beginning “for a new national policy, which is beneficial for the government, the opposition and the people.” The politician confirmed that after the selected period, the vote will no longer be delayed.