Baku, Azerbaijan, March 19
By Anakhanum Khidayatova - Trend:
The UK does not recognize Nagorno-Karabakh as a state and consequently, does not recognize the constitutional and legal framework within which the "election" is to be held, UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office told Trend on Mar.19.
The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office was commenting on the upcoming "parliamentary election" scheduled by the separatist regime of Nagorno-Karabakh on May 3.
The UK government continues to support the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group and encourages all parties to work towards a lasting solution based on the principles of refraining from the threat or use of force, territorial integrity and people's right to self-determination, the country's Foreign and Commonwealth Office said and expressed full support to the statement made by the EU on 12 March in relation to the upcoming "election" in Nagorno-Karabakh.
Earlier, press service of the EU told Trend that the organization doesn't recognize the "parliamentary election" in Nagorno-Karabakh.
"We are aware of the "parliamentary election" in Nagorno-Karabakh," the EU said. "We are following how such plans would evolve in this area. The EU does not recognize the election in South Ossetia. As for South Ossetia, the EU made a statement that it recognizes the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Georgia."
Moreover, previously, Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry said that the "parliamentary election" scheduled by the separatist regime of Nagorno-Karabakh for May 3 violates Azerbaijani law and is aimed at undermining the negotiation process on the settlement of the conflict.
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.
The two countries signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, Russia, France and the US are currently holding peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented the UN Security Council's four resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding regions.
Edited by SI
---
Follow the author on Twitter: @Anahanum