AZERBAIJANI FOREIGN MINISTRY MAKES STATEMENT ON "PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS" IN NAGORNO KARABAKH
Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
July 20 2007
"The Republic of Azerbaijan welcomes the principled and unequivocal
position clearly expressed by the international community with regard
to the so-called "presidential elections", held in the occupied
territories of the Republic of Azerbaijan on 19 July 2007," the
statement made by Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry says, the ministry
press center told APA.
"By reaffirming its unswerving respect for the territorial integrity of
Azerbaijan and rejecting these illegal "elections" the international
community has given a clear message to those who try to capitalize
on sufferings of Azerbaijani displaced population.
Azerbaijan shares concerns of its international partners about negative
effect of the illegal "elections" to the ongoing peace process.
Another attempt by the Republic of Armenia to camouflage its annexation
policy and occupation of the territories of Azerbaijan ended with a
complete and unavoidable failure. With its deeds the Armenian side
misleads no one but its own society. The international community is
well aware of the situation in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan.
The Republic of Azerbaijan shall never accept the fait accompli-based
solution, which the Armenian side is trying to impose. The conflict
in and around the Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan can only
be solved on the basis of respect for territorial integrity and
inviolability of internationally recognized borders of Azerbaijan,
and peaceful coexistence of Armenian and Azerbaijani communities
in the Nagorno-Karabakh region within Azerbaijan, fully and equally
enjoying benefits of democracy and prosperity.
Azerbaijan expects that after Saint Petersburg’s failure to accept the
relevant proposals of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmen the Armenian
side will reconsider its approach and take a constructive course.
Azerbaijan once again calls on the Armenian side to cease its
destructive policies and instead of wasting the precious time to
negotiate in good faith with a view to finding a soonest and durable
solution to the conflict," the statement concludes.