US State Dept. affirms stance on separatist polls
The United States has affirmed that it does not recognize the
separatist regime operating in the Armenia-occupied Upper (Nagorno)
Garabagh region of Azerbaijan, just like the rest of the world
community.
"The independence of Nagorno Garabagh hasn’t been recognized by the United States or any other nations," said Robert Hilton, the spokesman for the US State Department’s Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs.
He said Washington subscribes to the statement issued by the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs, representing France, the United States and Russia, which said "Nagorno Garabagh is not recognized as an independent and sovereign state by any of their three countries, nor by any other country, including Armenia."
Regarding the so-called parliamentary elections held on Sunday by the separatist regime, Hilton said the "vote" shouldn’t preempt the final legal status of Upper Garabagh in the ongoing peace talks.
He said that the U.S. will continue working with the Minsk Group co-chairs to seek a peaceful solution to the long-lasting dispute based on the principles of the Helsinki Final Act on the non-use of force and respect for territorial integrity and self-determination.
Azerbaijan and Armenia fought a lengthy war that ended with the signing of a ceasefire in 1994, but Armenia continues to occupy Upper Garabagh and seven other Azerbaijani districts in defiance of international law. The separatist regime operating in the region elected its 33-seat "parliament" last Sunday. Azerbaijan and the world community condemned the "vote".*
"The independence of Nagorno Garabagh hasn’t been recognized by the United States or any other nations," said Robert Hilton, the spokesman for the US State Department’s Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs.
He said Washington subscribes to the statement issued by the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs, representing France, the United States and Russia, which said "Nagorno Garabagh is not recognized as an independent and sovereign state by any of their three countries, nor by any other country, including Armenia."
Regarding the so-called parliamentary elections held on Sunday by the separatist regime, Hilton said the "vote" shouldn’t preempt the final legal status of Upper Garabagh in the ongoing peace talks.
He said that the U.S. will continue working with the Minsk Group co-chairs to seek a peaceful solution to the long-lasting dispute based on the principles of the Helsinki Final Act on the non-use of force and respect for territorial integrity and self-determination.
Azerbaijan and Armenia fought a lengthy war that ended with the signing of a ceasefire in 1994, but Armenia continues to occupy Upper Garabagh and seven other Azerbaijani districts in defiance of international law. The separatist regime operating in the region elected its 33-seat "parliament" last Sunday. Azerbaijan and the world community condemned the "vote".*
Here we are to serve you with news right now. It does not cost much, but worth your attention.
Choose to support open, independent, quality journalism and subscribe on a monthly basis.
By subscribing to our online newspaper, you can have full digital access to all news, analysis, and much more.
Subscribe
You can also follow AzerNEWS on Twitter @AzerNewsAz or Facebook @AzerNewsNewspaper
Thank you!