Armenia, Artsakh should have signed military-political cooperation document long ago: political analyst

Armenia and Artsakh should have signed a military-political cooperation agreement long ago, political analyst Vigen Hakobyan, told Aysor.am, referring to the statement of Artsakh security council secretary Valery Balasanyan that preparation of such agreement is in process.

“With an unclear reason the Armenian diplomacy keeps this variant as a reserve variant and remember about it when there is a need to forward an argument. I do not want to say that the document has been late, but it is being late,” the expert said.

Referring to the possible response of the international community, Hakobyan said that it will not complicate Armenia’s relations with the foreign players.

“The signing of the document opens new opportunities both from military-technical and political viewpoints. Of course, if it is of declarative nature our opportunities to maneuver will reduce. If the document implies integration steps that will bring into life the December 1, 1989 reunion decision, it will create new opportunities. It demands certain changes in Armenia’s strategy over Artsakh while it is not clear whether today’s authorities of Armenia are ready for it or not,” Hakobyan said.

At the same time the political analyst noted that Armenia, being cautious of the possible response of the international community, has put artificial dilemmas and has not signed cooperation agreement with Artsakh for years.

“International establishments are quite adequate. They understand quite well what goes on in the region, they know what relations exists between Armenia and Artsakh. When Armenian PM says that he was not elected by the people of Artsakh and that is why he cannot negotiate on behalf of Nagorno Karabakh it is a remark that we are being pushed to recognize Artsakh as reunited territory. In that case Armenia can speak on behalf of Artsakh,” the political analyst said.

Asked why until this moment Armenia and Artsakh have not signed a document on military-political cooperation, Hakobyan said that more probably it is agreed with the concerns Armenia has. In his words Armenia has always thought that such like document may be perceived as an element of withdrawal from the peace process.

“Armenia was afraid that it may be perceived as an attempt to crack the OSCE Minsk Group format and put the process under doubt,” he concluded.