Armenia should recognize independence of Nagorno Karabakh but not the right of Karabakhi people to self-determination, former NKR Foreign Minister Arman Melikyan said.

"Many opponents do not recognize Karabakh, noting ironically that Armenia itself doesn't do it. We should recognize independence of Nagorno Karabakh and I am confident that this motion will gain support," Melikyan told "Kosovo precedent. Can it be applied to Artsakh?" seminar.

After Armenia's recognition of NKR independence, Karabakh's borders should be fixed, according to him.

"Our problems began when Armenia agreed to territorial haggle. But we can't cede territories which belong to Karabakh by law," Melikyan said, reminding of 500 thousand of Armenian refugees from Azerbaijan.

"These people should live on a territory controlled legally by the NKR and should be granted citizenship. From the standpoint of international law, the Kosovo precedent offers Armenia a possibility to ground its moves," he said.

"We should decide whether Karabakh is an independent state or a part of Armenia," he emphasized, Novosti Armenia reports.