Azernews.Az

A number of major international groups and world countries have condemned so-called presidential ``elections`` held last Thursday in Nagorno Karabakh, an Azerbaijani region where ethnic Armenians are running a self-proclaimed republic.

European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton issued a statement a day earlier saying the EU ``does not recognize the constitutional and legal framework`` in which the elections would be held.

``These `elections` should not prejudice the determination of the future status of Nagorno Karabakh in the negotiated general framework of the peaceful settlement of the conflict,`` the statement says.

Nagorno Karabakh and seven surrounding Azerbaijani regions have been under Armenian occupation since a brutal war over the mountainous region in the early 1990s, which claimed some 30,000 lives and displaced about a million Azerbaijanis. A fragile ceasefire was signed in 1994, but peace talks, brokered by the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs the United States, Russia and France, have largely accomplished no result so far. Armenia has not yet implemented the U.N. Security Council`s four resolutions on a withdrawal from Nagorno Karabakh and the surrounding regions.

In her statement, Ashton also recalled the EU`s firm support to the Minsk Group, and in particular to the sustained efforts of its co-chairs, aimed at a peaceful resolution of the long-standing conflict.

``I call on the parties to step up their efforts to find a negotiated solution to the conflict on the basis of the Madrid principles [a peace outline offered by the OSCE mediators], which would allow progress beyond the status quo. I reiterate the EU`s readiness to provide further support to efforts in this direction,`` Ashton said.

NATO special envoy for the Caucasus and Central Asia, James Appathurai, told Azerbaijani news agency APA that the holding of such ``elections`` does not contribute to a peaceful and lasting settlement of the Karabakh conflict.

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) also did not recognize the so-called elections in Nagorno Karabakh, saying it supports a settlement of the conflict strictly within Azerbaijan`s territorial integrity.

OSCE mediators last Friday also issued a statement condemning the ``elections`` in Nagorno Karabakh. The Minsk Group co-chairs -- Robert Bradtke of the United States, Igor Popov of Russia and Jacques Faure of France -- acknowledged the need for the separatist leadership ``to try to organize democratically the public life of their population with such a procedure``. However, the co-chairs noted that ``none of their three countries, nor any other country, recognizes Nagorno Karabakh as an independent and sovereign state``.

``The co-chairs stress that the procedures of July 19 in no way prejudge the final legal status of Nagorno Karabakh or the outcome of the ongoing negotiations to bring a lasting and peaceful settlement to the Nagorno Karabakh conflict,`` the statement said.

Russia said regarding the ``elections`` that as other world countries, it does not recognize Nagorno Karabakh as an independent state.

``We do not think that the so-called `elections` may determine the future course of the peace process over Nagorno Karabakh,`` Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich was quoted by Russia 24 TV channel as saying at a press conference.

Lukashevich added that Russia has consistently stood for resolving the Karabakh conflict on the basis of the UN Charter and the principles of territorial integrity.

Turkey`s Foreign Ministry also strongly condemned the so-called elections in Nagorno Karabakh. Its statement said that holding the ``elections`` there is contrary to the obligations taken before the OSCE and the UN Security Council`s decisions, the ministry`s website said.

It said that Turkey, which has always supported Azerbaijan`s territorial integrity, would not accept the results of the illegal ``elections``.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said at a briefing Tuesday that the so-called ``elections`` have a negative impact on the negotiation process till the parties reach agreement to resolve the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, Iran`s IRINN TV channel reported.

Germany`s Bundestag (parliament) labeled the so-called elections as a ``heavy blow to the international community`s efforts to seek a peaceful solution to the Nagorno Karabakh conflict``.

The Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs also expressed its stance on the ``elections``. It confirmed its recognition of Nagorno Karabakh as a part of Azerbaijan and respect for the internationally accepted territorial integrity of the country, the Azerbaijani embassy in Switzerland told Trend news agency.

Romania`s Foreign Ministry said in a statement that it considers illegal the so-called elections held in Nagorno Karabakh, the Azerbaijani embassy in Romania told Trend.

``The Foreign Ministry reiterates the principled position with regard to recognition of the independence of Nagorno Karabakh region,`` the ministry said. ``At the same time, the Foreign Ministry reiterates that it supports activity of the OSCE Minsk Group and its co-chairs, as well as joint efforts in resolving the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, and encourages the parties to intensify their efforts to resolve the conflict through negotiations.``

Kuwaiti Foreign Ministry said in a statement on the so-called elections that Kuwait supports Baku`s fair position in the Nagorno Karabakh conflict and this stance remains unchanged, Azerbaijan`s Foreign Ministry said.

Britain, Israel and Georgia have also denounced the so-called ``elections``.

Azerbaijan`s Foreign Ministry said non-recognition of the ``elections`` by the international community shows that the existing status quo in the Karabakh conflict is unacceptable.

``All attempts by the Armenians are doomed to failure,`` spokesman Elman Abdullayev said at a news briefing. ``The international community recognizes the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and sees a settlement of the conflict within the [country`s] territorial integrity.``

Preliminary results show the incumbent separatist leader of Nagorno Karabakh has won the ``election`` staged by the separatist authorities. The results show Bako Sahakyan winning more than 66 percent of the vote. Retired General Vitaly Balasanyan took more than 32 percent.

80 observers from 15 countries reportedly monitored the poll.

`Elections` aimed at annexation

The ``elections`` in Nagorno Karabakh seek to disguise Armenia`s policy aimed at annexation of Azerbaijani occupied territories and to promote the results of their continued occupation, Azerbaijan`s Foreign Ministry said.

``Such action, in absence of the original Azerbaijani population of the Nagorno Karabakh region and without necessary authorization of respective structures of the Republic of Azerbaijan, gravely violates the relevant provisions of the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the norms and principles of international law and, therefore, shall have no legal effect whatsoever,`` the ministry said in a statement.

``Holding legitimate elections will be possible after the withdrawal of the Armenian occupying forces, normalization of life in the region, return of expelled Azerbaijani population and creation of necessary conditions for restoration of the dialogue and cooperation between the Armenian and Azerbaijani communities of the Nagorno Karabakh region of the Republic of Azerbaijan,`` the statement said.

Baku called upon Armenia instead of ``its destructive illegal steps, which do not have any prospects``, to withdraw its armed forces from the Azerbaijani territories, thus opening prospects for sustainable peace, security and development of the entire region.