Kiev stands for peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict on the principles of respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan within its internationally recognized borders, Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry said in a message, RIA Novosti reported May 4.

“Ukraine does not recognize the so-called parliamentary elections held May 3 in the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh, and considers them illegal,” said the ministry. “The results of these “elections” in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan cannot have legal consequences.”

“Parliamentary elections” were held May 3 in the Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan, occupied by Armenia.

Earlier, Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry called the elections illegal.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

The two countries signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, Russia, France and the US are currently holding peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented the UN Security Council's four resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding regions.

/By Trend/