Lusine Avanesyan
Public Radio of Armenia
Stepanakert
This year marks the 20th anniversary of establishment of ceasefire in the Karabakh conflict zone. On May 5, 1994, the Bishkek Protocol was signed, which provided the basis for the ceasefire agreement. The Nagorno Karabakh Republic signed the document as a full party. President of the Foreign Relations Committee of the NKR National Assembly Vahram Atanesyan says “by signing the ceasefire agreement, the Nagorno Karabakh Republic assumed responsibility for regional security.”
The final peace treaty is yet to be signed; there is no negotiation process at this point, Atanesyan said. “The OSCE Minsk Group is trying to do something, but the steps are targeted at maintaining peace rather than solving the issue,” he added.
According to the MP, the recognition of Artsakh’s independence is become more realistic. He predicts a conflict inside the Minsk Group because of the recent geopolitical developments. Atanesyan considers the recognition of NKR probable also because in the recent period the international community has been inclined to recognize the de facto situations.
Despite the unclear status from the point of view of the international community, the Nagorno Karabakh Republic is an important regional factor and carries responsibility for regional security. He believes that under these circumstances the recognition of NKR’s independence is the only perspective for settlement. This is what the efforts of the Armenian side and the supporters are targeted at.
