MOSCOW. – Russia does not recognize the independence of Nagorno-Karabakh and does not consider that the peace process outcome could depend on holding elections there, Russian MFA representative Alexander Lukashevich briefed on Friday.

“I would like to emphasize that Russia is consistent in supporting settlement of the Karabakh conflict through political-diplomatic moves based on the UN Charter, the Helsinki Final Act and other UN and OSCE fundamental documents, in particular the principles included in these documents, namely non-use of force or threat of force, territorial integrity of the states and the right of people to self-determination,” Russian MFA quotes Lukashevich.

The foreign official also added that Russia, along with other two OCSE Minsk Group Co-Chairing states [the U.S. and France] continues working with the parties to the conflict based on the provisions contained in the joint statements by the Russian, US and French presidents in the period from 2009 to 2012.