Zhirinovski calls Nagorno Karabakh to choose Montenegro way, Armenian expert doubtful

"The referendum on Montenegro's independence will be accepted as precedent by the international law," said Russian State Duma vice-speaker Vladimir Zhirinovski.

Participating in the third congress of Russian Armenians' Union, Zhirinovski told journalists that the so-called "Nagorno Karabakh Republic" can gain independence by following the Montenegro way.

"One day referendums on independence will be held in the South Caucasus too. For instance, Karabakh will achieve its independence. Karabakh has a right to be an independent state. In order not to offend Baku, Nagorno Karabakh can enter Armenia and have partnership relations with this state," Zhirinovski said.

Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry Press and Infromation Policy officer Tahir Taghizadeh told APA that it is not the first time that Zhirinovski makes statements contrary to the Russian Federation's foreign policy and against the interests of a country that have good relations with Russia.

"He needs to be more responsible because of his post. Such statements by Zhirinovski have negative influence on the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict and are contrary to the developing Azerbaijan-Russia friendly relations. Zhirinovski is making such statements like a norm," Taghizadeh noted.

In his turn, Head of the Department of Turkey of the Institute of History of the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia, Doctor Ruben Safrastyan told PanARMENIAN news agency that the referendum in Montenegro cannot be applied to Nagorno Karabakh.

In his words, Azerbaijan will never recognize the independence of "NKR" as different from Serbia, which agreed with the referendum returns.