EU High Commissioner for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton said that the EU does not recognize presidential elections in Nagorno-Karabakh set for July 19 as legal, Trend reports.
Ashton confirmed that efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group were aimed at peaceful settlement of the conflict. She urged the sides of conflict to base positions on the Madrid principles and reach progress in breaking status quo.
Turkey said that the elections violate obligations within the OSCE and decisions of the UN Security Council. Turkey considers further occupation of Nagorno-Karabakh a serious obstacle to stability and peace in South Caucasus. Turkey supports Azerbaijani territorial unity and calls elections illegal.
The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry called the elections a blow on the peace process in the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict. Foreign Minister Elman Abdullayev said that it strengthens status quo of the conflict. Azerbaijan will blacklist anyone who monitors the elections there.
Azerbaijan urged Armenia to avoid illegal action and withdraw forces from the occupied territories.
