We have learned that so-called “local elections” will be held on 13 September 2015 in Nagorno-Karabakh region of the Republic of Azerbaijan, which has remained under the occupation of Armenia for more than two decades.

The above mentioned “local elections”, planned to be held within a short time following the “Parliamentary” elections held on 3 May 2015 in the said region, are a clear breach of the principles of international law, the UN Security Council resolutions and the principles of the OSCE. This and other similar actions impair the efforts to reach a peaceful and lasting solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

Turkey condemns these elections which will constitute a new violation of Azerbaijan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. These elections and its results, which we consider illegal shall not be recognized by Turkey.

Turkey, a member of the Minsk Group, will continue to support the endeavours to reach a fair and lasting solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.