Azerbaijan, Baku / Тrend corr S. Aghayeva / Azerbaijan can hold the Russian co-chairman of the OSCE Minsk Group, Yuri Merzlakov, responsible due to his recent statement that Russia does not recognize Karabakh as a part of Azerbaijan, Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister, Araz Azimov, stated to journalists in Baku on the 8th of June.
According to the data provided by Novosti-Armenia news agency on the 8th of June, the Russian co-chairman made the statement in Armenia. He said, "For the time being Nagorno-Karabakh has not been recognized on an international level as an independent state. Russia also has not recognized the independence of Karabakh and recognizes territorial sovereignty of Azerbaijan. However, it does not mean that Russia recognizes Karabakh as a part of Azerbaijan."
"In case the Russian co-chairman actually made such a statement, Azerbaijan protests and considers Merzlakov to be exceeding his authority," Azimov said. Merzlakov does not have any ground on making such a statement contradicting international norms and principles.
"The statement also contradicts the official position of Russia, which is a co-chair of the Minsk Group," deputy minister noted.
Azimov regarded the statement made before the forthcoming meeting between Azerbaijani and Armenian Presidents scheduled for Saint-Petersburg as an irresponsible and provocative move. In case the statement is proved, Azerbaijan will make Merzlakov answerable.