Hungarian Foreign Ministry: Hungary doesn’t recognize constitutional and legal framework of so-called "elections" in Nagorno-Karabakh

Azerbaijan, Baku, July 21 /Trend E.Tariverdiyeva/ Hungarian Foreign Ministry fully aligns with the Statement of the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Catherine Ashton of 18 July 2012, stating that the European Union does not recognize the constitutional and legal framework of the so-called "elections" in Nagorno-Karabakh, the ministry's website said on Saturday. Hungary remains firm in its position on the settlement of the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh. Hungary shares the common EU stand on this issue emphasizing that the settlement must be achieved by peaceful and negotiated means, on the basis of the sovereignty, territorial integrity and inviolability of borders of the states concerned, as well as the respect for the rights of minority communities. These 'elections' should not prejudice the determination of the future status of Nagorno-Karabakh in the negotiated general framework of the peaceful settlement of the conflict, the statement said. Hungary joins the High Representative in calling on the parties to step up their efforts to find a negotiated solution to the conflict on the basis of the Madrid principles, which would allow progress beyond the status quo. 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. Do you have any feedback? Contact our journalist at agency@trend.az