It has been brought to our attention that the so-called “Presidential elections” will be held on 19 July 2012 in the Azerbaijani territory of Nagorno-Karabakh, which remains under the occupation of Armenia, in total contravention of international law and contrary to the expectations of the international community.

These elections which constitute a clear breach of the UN Security Council resolutions and OSCE principles present a new example of the unilateral efforts to legitimize the present unlawful situation in Nagorno-Karabakh.

The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict continues to represent the most important obstacle for the establishment of peace, stability and security in the South Caucasus and prevents the emergence of a climate conducive to the development of good-neighbourly relations and cooperation among countries in the region.

In this regard, Turkey which is determined to continue its efforts aimed at full and comprehensive normalization in the region on various grounds in parallel with the maintenance of the efforts aiming to settle the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, deplores this act which means a new violation of Azerbaijan’s political unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Turkey will not recognize the results of these so-called “Presidential” elections which it considers illegitimate and certainly null and void in terms of international law.