According to a July 2016 opinion poll commissioned by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) and conducted by the Institute for Political and Sociological Consulting (IPSC), a local research firm from Armenia, more people in Karabakh now prefer independence as opposed to unification with Armenia.

1,081 people in Stepanakert and the 7 regions of Nagorno-Karabakh were polled and the results cross-referenced with a similar survey conducted in March 2015.

46.2% of respondents believe that the NKR should become a part of Armenia, down from 56.6% from the March 2015 poll.

48.9% now believe that the NKR should be independent, up from 35.1% from March 2015.

51.1% of respondents believe that Armenia should recognize the NKR “under any circumstances”. 11% believe that Armenia should never recognize NKR’s independence as it will impede the negotiation process.

In the July 2016 poll, 73.5% of respondents opposed the return of refugees and IDPs to their previous communities to guarantee peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Another interesting finding is that 81.2% of respondents believe the people of the NKR should launch armed resistance if regional and global powers impose a handover of territories to Azerbaijan.

95.3% opposed the return of the five regions (Qubadli. Jabrayil, Zangilan, Agdam and Fuzuli) even if it meant a negotiated settlement of the conflict.

One more, somewhat disturbing finding, is that 38% of respondents said they were either “absolutely unaware” or “unaware” as to the negotiation process.

Finally, how do people in Artsakh see the future?

Pollsters asked the following: “Taking into consideration recent developments, how do you think the general situation in NKR will develop in the upcoming years?”

24.3% answered “will deteriorate” (up from 10.3% in the 2015 poll)

34% - will remain the same (no change from 2015 poll)

41.7 % - will improve (down from 55.8% in 2015 poll)

See poll results HERE

Photo: Stepanakert, Renaissance Square