Armenian expert Gagik Arutyunyan: "If there is a threat of armed conflict to Nagorno Karabakh, Armenia will immediately sign a treaty of alliance"

"If I am not mistaken, the Armenian President said that in case there is a threat of armed conflict to Nagorno Karabakh, we will immediately sign the due treaty of alliance on the same day. I think, it is currently not suitable for Armenia to recognize Nagorno Karabakh's independence", noted he.

The expert considers that the legal recognition of Nagorno Karabakh or signing any treaty by Armenia in the negotiation process will not be effective, as "we are de-facto united". He said on the current stage Armenia's recognition of Nagorno Karabakh's independence will be purely declarative. "This is rather a show than a serious political step", announced Arutyunyan.

As regards the possible recognition of independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia by Armenia, the expert noted that it is necessary to pay attention to the conduct of the world community and not to be "pioneers" in this case.

"Russia will be the first to recognize Abkhazia and South Ossetia, but the recognognition is not likely to be of global scale, like it was in case of Kosovo. Yet, naturally, there will be other countries, alongside with Russia, which will recognize their independence", noted he.

The expert also announced that the self-declared "Nagorno Karabakh Republic" takes a balanced position in the relations with Abkhazia and South Ossetia and it did not sign any binding documents and the recent developments proved the correctness of such a position.

"Imagine that Nagorno Karabakh, like Abkhazia, was obliged to conduct certain military actions or fulfill military commitments", noted the expert.

As for the prospects of further relations between Nagorno Karabakh and Abkhazia and South Ossetia, the expert said that it is early to establish closer formal and legal relations. "It can be discussed after independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia is recognized", noted he.

"Abkhazia and South Ossetia will certainly maintain ties with unrecognized Nagorno Karabakh, as it meets their interests: ""Nagorno Karabakh Republic" has always... provided its assistance when possible. I hope that this cooperation will continue developing", concluded the political scientist.

/Regnum/