In the near future Karabakh separatists might establish "diplomatic ties" with the puppet regime of the occupied Abkhazia. This statement was made in Yerevan by "head of the parliamentary committee on foreign relations" of Khankendi (Stepanakert) Vahram Atanesyan.

At a press conference he said that Nagorno-Karabakh recognizes independence of Abkhazia as "the president of Nagorno-Karabakh" sent Abkhazian colleague Sergei Bagapsh letter of congratulations with regards to recognition of Abkhazia by Russia, and he also participated in the recent "inauguration" of the head of the puppet regime.

This statement of the member of the Karabakh "parliament" is, at the very least, perplexing as Stepanakert since the war of 1992-1993 recognized the independence of Abkhazia and has maintained ties with Sukhumi.