RA MFA WELCOMES THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS HELD IN NKR
armradio.am
23.07.2007 16:38
RA Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on the presidential
elections held in agorno Karabakh on July 19.
The statement says: "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."