MFA: FRANCE DON’T RECOGNIZE INDEPENDENCE OF NAGORNO KARABAKH

Trend
May 25 2010
Azerbaijan

The separatist regime held unlawful “parliamentary elections” in
Nagorno-Karabakh May 23. In this context, France recalls that she,
like the European Union, as well as international community, including
Armenia, did not recognize independence of Nagorno Karabakh, the
French Foreign Ministry statement said, told Trend in the Azerbaijan
Embassy in Paris.

“Currently, conditions for the peaceful settlement of Nagorno
Karabakh conflict, acceptable for all parties concerned, the subject
of negotiations within the OSCE Minsk Group, under the mediation of
three countries co-chairs – France, USA and Russia. In this regard, the
elections on May 23 at no circumstances may affect the ongoing process
of settlement and determine the future status of Nagorno-Karabakh”,
– said in the French Foreign Ministry statement.

As noted in the statement France with American and Russian partners,
once again reiterates its firm determination to support the leaders
of Armenia and Azerbaijan to achieve a balanced and a negotiated
political settlement under the agreement, based on the principles
of Helsinki Final Act to refuse the use of force or the threat of
territorial integrity, equality and self-determination of peoples.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988
when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian
armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan since 1992,
including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994.

The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group – Russia, France, and the United
States – are currently holding the peace negotiations.

Armenia has not yet implemented the U.N. Security Council’s four
resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh region and the
occupied territories.

From: A. Papazian