Mnatsakanyan: democratic and competitive elections were held in  Artsakh

ArmInfo. Democratic and  competitive elections were held in Artsakh. This was stated on March  15 from the parliamentary rostrum by the Foreign Minister of Armenia  Zohrab Mnatsakanyan, speaking about the results of the presidential  elections held the day before.

As noted, through the elections, the people of Artsakh gave their  mandate to the newly elected authorities to ensure security and to  continue the right to represent the people of Artsakh during peace  negotiations.  <In this regard, elections are important in terms of  human rights, regional security and the peace process.  The Armenian  authorities do not have the mandate of the people of Artsakh to  represent them in the peace process. The authorities of Armenia have  been and remain the guarantors of the security of the people of  Artsakh and will continue their constructive participation in the  peace process, however, the process touches on issues that are of  vital importance for the people of Artsakh, and through his manadate,  the newly elected authorities demonstrate their approaches and  position on this issue. I repeat, for its part, Armenia will continue  to bear its share of responsibility in this process>, the minister  said.

With regard to international responses to the elections, here, he  said, the priority is given to the responses of bodies related to the  peace process. These are the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group and  the co-chairing countries. In this regard, statements regarding the  right of the people of Artsakh to determine their future and organize  their public life are important.

"As for the responses and approaches of the countries involved in  other confrontations, our position is that Armenia contributes to the  establishment of human rights regardless of the status of  territories," Mnatsakanyan stated.

Recall that following the results of the presidential election held  in Artsakh on April 14, Araik Harutyunyan won a landslide victory.