International observers: Parliamentary elections proved that population of NKR needs to have right to self-determination
In view of the recent parliamentary elections in Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh), a number of European scholars and officials have voiced their convictions that the elections contributed to Artsakh’s strong democracy and adhered to European standards, the website of the Armenian-American newspaper Asbarez writes.
According to the article, Laurence Broers, British political scientist, commenting on the process of the elections, told the American website World Politics Review that the elections have proven that Artsakh is a democratic republic in stark contrast to Azerbaijan.
Asbarez writes that Member of the European Parliament Frank Engel, during a visit to Stepanakert, said that Nagorno Karabakh demonstrated progress in state-building and strengthening of democratic values. As the Caucasian Knot reports, Engel believes that a more active disposition of the EU towards an unrecognized state can promote this process.
Frank Engel called Azerbaijan’s policy towards Armenia “aggressive,” adding that it could lead to the recognition of Nagorno Karabakh by the international community. “It is important that the process of international recognition began after the full settlement of the Karabakh conflict,” Engel said, according to Asbarez.
As the article reads, Laszlo Kemeny, a Hungarian Professor of political science, who observed the latest elections in Artsakh, told the Armenian outlet ArmInfo that the parliamentary elections in Artsakh were legitimate, democratic and transparent in all aspects. He reminded that as observer, he first visited Karabakh during the presidential election in 2012. On May 3, 2015 he was among 110 accredited foreign observers in Artsakh and together with his 9 colleagues from Belgium, Hungary, Czech Republic, Estonia, and Israel he represented the International expert Center for Electoral Systems (ICES).
“Significant changes have been made to the country over the last three years. It is evident that the country has become better organized, the living standards have been improved, and the people are more confident now,” he said.
Kemeny added that analyzing the preparations for the elections, the quality of related laws and rules based on the NKR Constitution, the transparency of the election campaigns, and the voting process at 78 polling stations, in its final communique, the Observation Mission said the elections were held in conditions of democratic and competitive fight and the turnout was very high – above 70%. International observers also welcomed the high quality of organization and conduct of the elections in Karabakh saying it is another step towards building a legitimate democratic state.
“The elections once again proved to the world community that the most important thing for the population of the given territory is to have own will; the right to the self-determination. The people of Artsakh have liberated their historical motherland at great cost and are now proudly developing it and caring for it. The elections showed that this independent state is viable and its people have a high feeling of political responsibility even in the current tense international situation,” Kemeny said and highlighted that ‘unrecognized states’ are becoming reality, becoming the subjects of the world community, as their own peoples ‘recognize’ and legitimate them.
Related:
European Parliament Member hails Artsakh parliamentary elections
Yevseev: Nagorno-Karabakh elections were democratic and free
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