EU High Representative Says Nagorno Karabakh Parliamentary Elections are Illegal

Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, said in a statement that the EU "does not recognize the constitutional and legal framework within which the parliamentary elections in Nagorno Karabakh will be held."

"I would like to recall that the European Union does not recognize the constitutional and legal framework within which the "parliamentary elections" in Nagorno Karabakh will be held this Sunday. This event should not prejudice the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. I reiterate our firm support to the OSCE Minsk-Group, and the work of the three Co- chairs and their efforts towards a settlement of the conflict, and call on the parties to redouble their efforts to find a negotiated solution to the conflict. I recall the EU's readiness to offer further support to this end," said Ashton.

Parliamentary elections in Nagorno Karabakh are set to take place on May 23. Four parties will participate in the elections - Free Homeland, Democratic Party of Artsakh, Communist Party of Artsakh and the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (Dashnaktsutyun, ARF-D).