At its next session slated for May 5 the Armenian government is going to consider a bill on the official recognition of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. Armenian authorities say this was done in order not to hamper the Karabakh peace process.
The bill is authored by opposition MPs Zaruhi Postanjyan and Hrant Bagratyan.
According to the bill, the Republic of Armenia recognizes the Republic of Artsakh (the Armenian name for Karabakh). The law will enter into force on the day following the official promulgation. The bill will be presented by foreign minister Edward Nalbandian.
The government then should issue an opinion on the draft law and send it to the National Assembly in the manner prescribed by law.
The authors of the bill point out that it is the result of discussions between representatives of Armenia and Karabakh governments.
In comments on the bill, Sergey Minasyan, the deputy head of Yerevan-based Caucasus Institute, said the bill is an element of deterrence against further escalation on the contact line by Azerbaijan.
Minasyan added, however, that he did not believe that the bill might be approved by the government. ‘As opposition MPs, Postanjyan and Bagratyan bear no political responsibility. Perhaps the bill will be considered, but it will not be approved," he said
