United States recognizes role of NK population but does not recognize results of upcoming elections (video)
“The United States recognizes the importance of the role of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh in determining their own future.” This was stated by U.S. Department of State spokesperson John Kirby at a daily press briefing in Washington DC on Thursday. “In the context of a comprehensive settlement of the conflict, we recognize the role of the population in Nagorno-Karabakh in deciding their future. However, the United States does not recognize Nagorno-Karabakh as an independent sovereign state, and we will not accept the results of the so-called elections on the 13th of September as affecting the legal status of the region,” he continued. Kirby made it clear that the so-called elections cannot determine the final status of Nagorno-Karabakh. “We also stress that the so-called elections in no way prejudge the final status of Nagorno-Karabakh or the outcome of the ongoing negotiations to bring a lasting and peaceful settlement to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.” Earlier, the U.S. Department of State called on the conflicting parties to refrain from violence. “The United States condemns any military action against civilians and calls for an immediate end to violence,” it said. The US Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, Ambassador James Warlick asked in social networks whether there can be a person like Abraham Lincoln in Armenia and Azerbaijan who can bring peace and reconciliation to the region. He left the following message in social networks as he addressed the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process: “Abraham Lincoln brought us from war to reconciliation rising above politics and beginning a new chapter in our history. Is there a courageous Abraham Lincoln in Armenia or Azerbaijan who is prepared to bring peace and reconciliation? Are the people of the region ready to live side by side in peace, security, and prosperity?”
