Russia says does not recognize self-styled republic in Karabakh
Russia does not recognize the self-proclaimed republic operating in the Armenia-occupied Nagorno Karabakh region of Azerbaijan as an independent state, the foreign ministry spokesman has said.
Alexander Lukashevich said Moscow believes the conduct of Sunday’s municipal "elections" in Nagorno Karabakh cannot affect peaceful resolution of the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict.
Ethnic Armenian separatists in Nagorno Karabakh, backed by Armenia, declared so-called independence in 1991, which has not been recognized by the international community. Nagorno Karabakh, along with seven surrounding Azerbaijani regions, has been occupied by Armenian armed forces since a 1994 cease-fire ended a brutal war. Peace talks, brokered by US, Russian and French mediators, have been largely fruitless so far.
Lukashevich said in a statement posted on the Russian foreign ministry’s website that Russia, along with France and the United States, the other co-chairs of the mediating OSCE Minsk Group, continues making an effort to broker a solution of the Karabakh conflict.
The ministry spokesman said Moscow would continue assisting Baku and Yerevan in reaching compromise to break the ice in the conflict settlement.
"We support territorial integrity [of states] and non-use of force just like other principles of international law," Lukashevich added.
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