Karabakh people entitled to determine their future: U.S. State Dept.

September 11, 2015 - 13:16 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - The United States recognizes the role of the Nagorno Karabakh population in deciding their future, spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, John Kirby said.

“In the context of a comprehensive settlement of the conflict, we recognize the role of the population in Nagorno Karabakh in deciding their future. However, the United States does not recognize Nagorno Karabakh as an independent sovereign state, and we will not accept the results of the so-called elections on the 13th of September as affecting the legal status of the region,” the spokesperson said.

“We also stress that the so-called elections 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,” Kirby concluded.

The Nagorno Karabakh Republic will hold the sixth elections of the local government bodies on September 13. The first municipal elections, including the elections of the mayor of Stepanakert, were held on September 27, 1998.

The conflict between Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan

The conflict between Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan broke out as result of the ethnic cleansing launched by the Azeri authorities in the final years of the Soviet Union. The Karabakh War was fought from 1991 (when the Nagorno Karabakh Republic was proclaimed) to 1994 (when a ceasefire was sealed by Armenia, NKR and Azerbaijan). Most of Nagorno Karabakh and a security zone consisting of 7 regions are now under control of NKR defense army. Armenia and Azerbaijan are holding peace talks mediated by the OSCE Minsk Group up till now.