FM: Lithuania does not recognize so called "referendum" in Nagorno-Karabakh
By Laman Ismayilova
Lithuania has confirmed that it does not recognize constitutional and legal framework of the so-called "referendum" held in Nagorno-Karabakh, the Azerbaijani lands occupied by Armenia.
“Lithuania considers that the results of the "referendum" do not affect the legal status of Nagorno-Karabakh and in no way prejudge the final status or the outcome of the ongoing negotiations on peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict,” Azertac quoted Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Linkevičius as saying .
The so-called “constitutional referendum” was held on February 20 in Azerbaijan’s occupied Nagorno-Karabakh region, which is now ruled by a puppet regime controlled by Armenia.
Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry, as well as the OSCE Minsk Group co-chair states, namely Russia, the U.S. and France, and a number of other countries, confirmed that they do not recognize the “referendum” in Nagorno-Karabakh.
Linkevičius underlined that Lithuania supports peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict through negotiations on the basis of the fundamental principles of non-use of force, territorial integrity and self-determination of peoples enshrined in the United Nations Charter and the Helsinki Final Act.
“Lithuania supports the mediation efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group on the peaceful settlement of the conflict,” he stressed.
The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. More than 20,000 Azerbaijanis were killed and over 1 million were displaced as a result of the large-scale hostilities. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations.
Speaking about the bilateral relations between Lithuania and Azerbaijan, Linkevičius said the ties have increasingly strengthened through close political dialogue, friendly contacts between peoples and cooperation on a wide range of issues of mutual interest.
“As part of the agreement between the Governments of Lithuania and Azerbaijan on cooperation in the field of economy, industry and energy, our countries organize regular meetings of the intergovernmental commission on bilateral cooperation. This year Lithuania is planning to hold the 5th session of the intergovernmental commission,” Linkevičius said, adding that Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov will pay an official visit to Vilnius this year.
“During the official visit, we will discuss the issues of further strengthening of bilateral relations in various spheres of cooperation,” he said.
Lithuania recognized Azerbaijan's independence on December 21, 1991. Diplomatic relations between two countries were established in November, 1992. The Lithuanian embassy was opened in Azerbaijan on April 3, 2007. The Azerbaijani embassy was opened in Lithuania in September 2007.
Both countries are full members of the Council of Europe and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).
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