ROBERT KOCHARIAN: KOSOVO PRECEDENT WILL HAVE POSITIVE INFLUENCE ON THE RECOGNITION OF INDEPENDENCE OF NAGORNO KARABAKH

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Feb 29 2008

Yerevan-APA. "Kosovo precedent is very important for Armenia. It will
have positive influence on the recognition of independence of Nagorno
Karabakh conflict," Armenian President Robert Kocharian told students
of Yerevan State University, APA reports quoting Novosti-Armenia

Kocharian stated that it is situated in the center of Europe and many
factors work for it and confessed that Kosovo example differs from
Nagorno Karabakh.

"We should be consistent in our struggle. The independence of Nagorno
Karabakh is a fact for us. The only issue is to achieve the recognition
of Nagorono Karabakh by other states," he said.

Kocharian noted that Armenia has recognized the independence of
Nagorno Karabakh for a long time and established bilateral relations.

He added that de facto recognition is more important than the official
decisions of parliament and President.

"I do not see any problem in the adoption of such state act. We
should account whether this step help or impede negotiations process,"
he said.