OSCE CHAIRMAN CONCERNED OVER CONSTITUTIONAL REFERENDUM IN NAGORNO-KARABAKH

Organization for Security and Co-Operation in Europe (OSCE)

Dec 12 2006

BRUSSELS, 11 December 2006 – The OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Belgian
Foreign Minister Karel De Gucht, said today that the OSCE will
not recognize the referendum on a draft constitution held in
Nagorno-Karabakh on Sunday.

"Such a referendum is counter-productive to the ongoing conflict
settlement process, which has recently shown visible progress, as
acknowledged by the parties," said Minister De Gucht.

Referring to a statement on Nagorno-Karabakh made at last week’s 14th
OSCE Ministerial Council in Brussels, he said: "We do not welcome a
move that could jeopardize progress made at this promising juncture."

He also referred to today’s statement by the Co-Chairs of the OSCE
Minsk Group, saying: "A reason not to recognize this referendum is
that no member of the international community recognizes the so-called
Nagorno-Karabach republic as an independent state."

The OSCE Minsk Group is co-chaired by France, Russia and the United
States.