Armenia may get involved in a risky game with recognizing Nagorno Karabakh’s independence, an expert said.

“This will be dangerous not only because Azerbaijan’s position but also because it will incur undesirable changes for the international community,” deputy director of Caucasus Institute Sergey Minasyan told journalists on July 12.

“If Armenia recognizes independence of Artsakh now, it will force Azerbaijan start a new war. I don’t think the Armenian leadership will venture such a step. Recognition is a resource in Armenia’s hands, which has a restrictive role. After the OSCE summit in Astana it became clear for all that Armenia will recognize Karabakh immediately if Azerbaijan risks a war,” he said.

Addressing the OSCE summit on December 2, 2010, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan said Azerbaijani possesses no moral, political or legal right to claim Karabakh. The head of state warned that Armenia will have to recognize NKR independence and render all possible assistance in case of Azerbaijan’s aggression.