STEPANAKERT. – The international community actually recognizes the constitutional referendum being held in Nagorno-Karabakh.

Head of the Central Information Department of the Office of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR/Artsakh) President and deputy head of the NKR President’s Office, Davit Babayan, on Monday told about the above-said to reporters.

“The statement by the Co-Chairs of the OSCE [i.e. the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe] Minsk Group notes that the results of the referendum are not recognized from the viewpoint of a change in legal status; this really is so,” stated Babayan. “The referendum does not imply changes in the status [of the NKR], since the people of Artsakh declared the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic on September 2 of the year 1991, and reaffirmed the decision on December 10 of the same year.

“But the provision in the same statement, [and] where it is noted that the referendum is aimed at regulating the internal life, is more important. In fact, the international community recognizes and welcomes the holding of the referendum; furthermore [it accepts], that it is held in line with all democratic requirements.” 

The NKR on Monday is conducting a constitutional referendum.

The respective constitutional amendments envision a transition from a semi-presidential to a presidential system of government in Artsakh.