The response of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh) Republic has been circulated to the UN General Assembly and Security Council with regard to the letters of Azerbaijan’s representative to the UN on the presidential election held in the NKR on July 19, 2012.

The document of the Foreign Ministry reads that “the formation of state structures through free and transparent expression of the popular will has become an inseparable part of the political culture in the Republic”.

It is also noted that the July 19, 2012 presidential election in Artsakh was yet another step towards deepening the democratic traditions and universal values in the country that was affirmed by the high assessments given by the international observers, including members of the European Parliament, journalists and public activists.

“The Nagorno Karabakh Republic expects the international community to demonstrate an appropriate response to its ongoing democratic processes, which will send the proper signal to the developing democracies around the globe.

Any allegations by Azerbaijan that the democratic development of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic hampers the peace process are illogical, and are solely aimed at distracting the international community away from factual obstacles in the negotiation process”, the NKR MFA letter said.

According to the NKR Foreign Ministry, Azerbaijan’s refusal to observe its obligations undertaken within the OSCE Minsk Process undermines stability, peace and security in the region.