RA President believes it was strange on the EU’s part to refuse to recognize the parliamentary elections in Nagorno-Karabakh.

“For many years the Nagorno-Karabakh people have been forming legitimate authorities by means of elections and different agencies, including the European Union have for years stated they do not recognize elections in Nagorno-Karabakh. It strange for us, but we try to show understanding,” Sargsyan stated at a press conference in Brussels, commenting on the EU’s statement on the NKR elections.

The NKR people’s opinion must be respected, the Armenian leader said. “We are sure that elections have no alternative and we believe free, fair and democratic elections are held in the NKR,” Sargsyan said.

He also underlined the importance of the NKR’s participation in the negotiations. “The NKR’s participation in the negotiations may give a new quality to the process,” the Armenian President said.

As regards Turkey’s wish to participate in the negotiations, the Armenian leader said: “I do not think that, with the present negotiation mechanism applied, involving anyone from the outside would be of benefit. Instead of helping Azerbaijan, Turkey is diminishing any prospects for its constructive role in the region.”

President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso stated that Catherine Ashton’s statement reflected the Commission’s official position. The Commission is fully supportive of a peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh problem under the auspices of the OSCE Minsk Group. The Commission believes that such a settlement involves all the principles: internally displaced people’s right to return, return of property, right to self-determination and security guarantees and withdrawal of troops.

As regards the Armenian-Turkish reconciliation, Barroso stressed that the EU cannot speak on behalf of either Armenia or Turkey. The EU is doing its best – at both private and official levels. The process requires tolerance and flexibility, he said.

EU High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton stated the EU does not recognize the legal and constitutional framework of the NKR parliamentary elections.

T.P.