The mediators have emphasized that they recognize the people of Nagorno-Karabakh
The OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs who a few days ago met with the Foreign Affairs Ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan in Paris, Edward Nalbandian, and Elmar Mammadyarov, respectively, issued a remarkable statement. In addition to the fact that the statements emphasized that they will continue with the preparation work this year for the later on meeting of the presidents, the co-chairs also addressed the Nagorno-Karabakh parliamentary elections held on May 3. “In the context of a comprehensive settlement of the conflict, we recognize the role of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh in deciding their future. However, none of our three countries, nor any other country, recognizes Nagorno-Karabakh as an independent and sovereign state. Accordingly, we do not accept the results of these “elections” as affecting the legal status of Nagorno-Karabakh, and stress that they in no way prejudge the final status of Nagorno-Karabakh or the outcome of the ongoing negotiations to bring a lasting and peaceful settlement to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict,” announced the mediators.
Later on, the US State Department spokesman Jeff Rathke addressed the elections in NKR. “The United States does not recognize Nagorno-Karabakh as an independent sovereign state, and accordingly, “we will not accept the results of the elections on May 3rd.” But at the same time he has emphasized, “US State Department does not intend to make rash judgments about Nagorno-Karabakh before the completion of the international negotiations.” However, Rathke has also stressed, “The people of Nagorno-Karabakh should play a role in deciding their future.” First, let us note that with regard to all elections held in Karabakh, the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs have repeatedly stated that they do not recognize the election results. But the last statement is notable with the fact that this time they have officially stressed that they recognize the “role of the Nagorno-Karabakh people in determining their future.”
The Co-Chairs’ and official Washington’ statements were immediately slammed by Azerbaijani authorities. “Using the phrase of “the Nagorno-Karabakh people” by the Minsk Group co-chairs and the US State Department is unacceptable,” mentioned the Foreign Ministry of Azerbaijan. “The Nagorno-Karabakh people do not exist. There is a regional population of Nagorno-Karabakh in the staff of the Republic of Azerbaijan consisted of Armenian and Azerbaijani communities,” mentioned Foreign Ministry spokesman Hikmet Hajiyev.
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To the point, the OSCE Minsk Group American co-chair James Warlick made another remarkable post in his Twitter microblog after the meeting with the Armenian Foreign Minister in Paris, “Productive and positive talks with the Foreign Minister Nalbandian in Paris. Armenia is open to the opportunities for the NK peace.” Wrote the American co-chair. For already the second time, the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs with joint statements, in fact, make phrases against Azerbaijan, openly pointing out the main obstructing party in the peace process. Note that this year on January 27, the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs, after the meeting with Azerbaijani Foreign Minister in Krakow, for the first time broke the tradition of accepting “balanced” texts. The statement accepted on January says that they express a deep concern to the Azerbaijani Foreign Minister about the attacks on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border and in the contact line, which resulted in casualties and then have stressed that the increase in violence, which has started since last year, should be terminated to restore the trust and register a progress in the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process.
Later on, the co-chairs directly stressed, “We called on Azerbaijan to observe its commitments to a peaceful resolution of the conflict. We also call on Armenia to take all measures to reduce tensions. All sides must abide by the terms of the ceasefire agreement.” The Mediators had mentioned in the statement that “we have reminded Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister about the mandate of the Minsk Group co-chairs (the framework of the powers), the role of the Minsk Group co-chairs and the OSCE observers’ commitments, and had expressed concern about the voiced criticism on ongoing negotiation process.”
To the point, the aforesaid statement was accepted after the meeting with Azerbaijani Foreign Minister, during which, according to Azerbaijani media, Mammadyarov had accused the Armenian side for “implementing subversive acts”, announcing that their goal is to “hinder the peace process.” As for the recent joint statement by the co-chairs, as well as the estimates made by the State Department spokesman and the American co-chair, then basically, they emphasized the fact of remaining committed to the peace settlement by the Armenian side, as well as holding free elections in Nagorno-Karabakh was presented in the positive light as a right of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh to choose their future and the government authorities, which is truly a positive fact.
EMMA GABRIELYAN
