If Russia recognized independent Nagorno-Karabakh, it would officially state that or send an observer mission to the NKR parliamentary elections, the RPA (Republican Party of Armenia) member Hovhannes Sahakyan said, commenting on RF Foreign Ministry Spokesman Andrei Nesterenko’s statement:

“Moscow supports Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity, as well as other fundamental norms of international law,” stated Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Andrei Nesterenko, commenting on the NKR parliamentary elections, held on May 23.

“As it is known, we do not recognize Nagorno-Karabakh as an independent state. We believe ts further status should be determined without use of force, by means of political negotiations between all the conflicting parties within the Minsk process,” he said.

Sahakyan said the countries whose independence Russia recognized should follow Nagorno-Karabakh’s example in holding free elections. “These countries should follow the lead of NKR in all aspects – the level of both democracy and state institutions,” Sahakyan said.

As to whether making no statement would be more appropriate on the part of Russia as Armenia’s strategic party, Sahakyan said: “I think so, but, if Russia responded to NKR elections and made an appraisal, it would thust break the principle of impartiality as OSCE MG Co-Chairing country. We repeatedly stated we see the settlement of the Karabakh conflict under the auspices of the Minsk Group. It is unacceptable for us to have the issue to other agencies’ agenda. Russia is interested in the conflict being settled within the OSCE MG.” He called on the world to recognize the NKR’s independence.

L.A.