Armenian parliament does not recognize Nagorno-Karabakh independence

The parliamentary majority in Armenia voted down the bill, introduced by the opposition fraction 'Heritage', on recognition of the independence of Nagorno-Karabakh, Armenian media report.

The head of the ruling fraction in the Republican Party of Armenia
Galust Saakyan said that the position of RPA will remain unchanged,
the fraction did not participate in the voting process. He stated that
recognition of Nagorno-Karabakh is unnecessary at this point. Only 13
deputies, members of the 'Heritage' and 'Dashnaktsutun', voted.

The Armenian parliament decided to postpone the voting until December
9. The voting was postponed due to the OSCE summit in Astana on
December 1-2.

Armenia will only recognize the independence of Nagorno-Karabakh if
massive military operations start, analyst Stepan Grigoryan told
journalists on December 9.

The recognition of the republic will ruin the negotiation process and
will demonstrate disrespect towards the co-chairs, he said.

Grigoryan said that he participated in the forum in Baku, held on
December 1-3, where the sides discussed the relations between the
South Caucasus and EU. The forum was organized by the analytical
center of Azerbaijani president.

He talked with Azerbaijani experts and said that they express
willingness to expand cooperation and contacts with Armenians.
Grigoryan noted that the Armenian church in the center of Baku is in
good condition.