MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
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PRESS AND INFORMATION DEPARTMENT
Telephone: +37410. 544041 ext 202
Fax: +37410. 562543
Email: press@mfa.am

State ment of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia
on presidential elections in Nagorno Karabakh
23-07-07

We welcome the presidential elections held in Nagorno Karabakh on July 19.
Nearly 80% of the people of Nagorno Karabakh participated in these
elections. These elections are the most recent in some dozen presidential,
parliamentary, and local election polls, as well as a constitutional
referendum, held since 1991.

This is just one expression of the commitment the people of Nagorno Karabakh
have made to democracy and rule of law. Legitimately elected authorities
have succeeded in securing the safety and stability of that region even in
the absence of a permanent settlement.

Various OSCE and other international documents clearly indicate that not
only should Nagorno Karabakh be a party to settlement negotiations, but that
their elected authorities should represent them.

To dismiss these or any elections is disingenuous and simply contrary to
modern political values. Further, rejection cannot be understood given the
fact that in other areas of the world, in places where final political
status and settlement are also absent, such elections are indeed supported,
promoted, observed and encouraged.

The people of Nagorno Karabakh remain committed to resolving the Nagorno
Karabakh conflict through negotiations to reach a peaceful, lasting
settlement.

Unlike in other conflicts, in Karabakh, the population has always had to
ensure its own security without the help of the international community. In
the same way, they have also succeeded in securing their own democratic
processes and domestic stability.