Russia has factually recognized the legitimacy of election in Karabakh, with Russian Foreign Ministry statement essential in forming government bodies in the republic, according to the Deputy Director of Caucasus Institute.

As political analyst Sergey Minasyan told PanARMENIAN.Net, “the important thing is that the process got off the ground.”

Dwelling on the Georgian authorities’ controversial statement on election in Artsakh, the expert suggested that the move was prompted by Tbilisi attempt to avoid similar situation in Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

“As is known, Russia does not recognize the Nagorno Karabakh Republic as an independent state. Our view is that the elections cannot influence the peace process for Nagorno Karabakh,” Russian Foreign Ministry’s website quoted the ministry’s spokesman Alexander Lukashevich as saying.

“Russia in close cooperation with the other OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs – the USA and France – is undertaking active mediation efforts in the matter of resolving the Nagorno Karabakh problem. We will continue to assist the Armenian and Azerbaijani sides in disentangling the Karabakh knot as soon as possible by reaching a compromise,” he said.

“We reaffirm support for the principles of territorial integrity, the non-use of force, as well as other fundamental principles and norms of international law”, Lukashevich said.

Voters in the Nagorno Karabakh Republic have voted to elect local government bodies in the capital, Stepanakert, and more than 200 other communities. The Karabakh election commission said Karabakh’s 54 658 eligible voters (58,71%) cast their ballots on September 18 for candidates vying for mayorships and council seats.