Iranian ministry: So-called "elections" in Nagorno-Karabakh negatively impact conflict settlement

The so-called "elections" in Nagorno-Karabakh have a negative impact on the peace process of resolving the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry Ramin Mehmanparast said at a briefing today, IRINN TV channel reported.

He said that these actions have a negative impact on the negotiation process till the sides of the conflict come to an agreement to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

The so-called "presidential elections" took place in the occupied Nagorno-Karabakh region of the Republic of Azerbaijan on July 19, 2012. No world country recognizes Nagorno-Karabakh as independent and sovereign state.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan.

Armenian armed forces have occupied 20 per cent of Azerbaijan since 1992, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group - Russia, France and the U.S. - are currently holding peace negotiations.

Armenia has not yet implemented the U.N. Security Council's four resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding regions.

/Trend/