Rathke: U.S. recognizes that Karabakh people will play role in deciding their future
The United States will not accept the results of the parliamentary elections in Nagorno-Karabakh as affecting the legal status of NKR, Jeff Rathke, Acting Deputy Spokesperson, U.S. Department of State, said at a daily press briefing on Friday.
“First, the United States does not recognize Nagorno-Karabakh as an independent sovereign state, and accordingly, we will not accept the results of the elections on May 3rd as affecting the legal status of Nagorno-Karabakh. In the context of a comprehensive settlement of the conflict, we recognize that the people of Nagorno-Karabakh will play a role in deciding their future. But – and we also stress that we in no way prejudge the final status of Nagorno-Karabakh or the outcome of the negotiations to bring a lasting and peaceful settlement to the conflict,” Rathke said.