US Regrets Absence of ODIHR Observers at Elections

The United States will cooperate with the newly elected parliament of Azerbaijan. This was stated by US Ambassador Robert Cekuta in a conversation with journalists.

According to him, the United States cooperates with the parliaments of all countries, and there is nothing unusual there.

"We had stated before the elections that we would cooperate with the elected deputies," Cekuta said.

As for the statement of US State Department about the elections, it reflected the completion of the election with a large majority of the party New Azerbaijan, according to Cekuta. At the same time he expressed regret for ODIHR not observing the elections.

He also thanked the Azerbaijani President for updating the legal framework on the issue of support for operations in Afghanistan.

Cooperation in the field of peacekeeping operations is important for both countries, he said.

Regarding the role of the OSCE Minsk Group in the Karabakh settlement, the Ambassador said that the OSCE defines the basic principles for the countries after the Cold War. These are territorial integrity, non-use of force, self-determination. Within this framework, the OSCE Minsk Group is trying to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

According to him, the OSCE, as well as any other organization, cannot force sovereign states to something. "The OSCE is one of the most influential and important organizations to maintain peace and stability in Europe." -06d-