"Sasna Tsrer" collects signatures for NKR's reunification with Armenia

Since March 18, the "Sasna Tsrer" Party is collecting signatures for the reunification of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) with Armenia. Supporters of the "Sasna Tsrer" believe that the unrecognized republic should join Armenia as a separate region.

There are several ways of the de jure unification of the two republics, including holding a referendum, a joint decision of the parliaments of Armenia and Artsakh (historical name of the NKR), the NKR's accession by Armenia, etc., said Varuzhan Avetisyan, one of the founders of the "Sasna Tsrer" Party. He has noted that the decisive word will be with the new authorities of the NKR.

The reunification issue should be resolved urgently, since “the threat of Russia's influence is hanging over it," Zhirair Sefilyan, the party leader, is confident.

According to his story, the party will try to achieve a change of power in the NKR prior the 2020 elections by consolidating political forces.

Since 1988, the initial goal of the national liberation movement was the NKR's reunification with Armenia, recalls Mkhitar Avetisyan, a member of the "Sasna Tsrer" Coordination Council.

Nagorno-Karabakh is still a part of Armenia, Ara Papyan, a lawyer and political analyst, asserts. According to his version, there is a de jure Declaration on Independence of Armenia dated December 1, 1989, which indicates the grounds therefore.

This declaration remains in force, therefore NKR citizens receive Armenian passports, Mr Papyan has explained.