Nagorno-Karabakh presidential election, 2007
Encyclopedia
The third presidential election in the unrecognized country of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic
was held on 19 July 2007. The incumbent Arkady Ghukasyan was constitutionally barred from seeking a third term and had endorsed Bako Sahakyan
, who was the head of the National Security Service
. Sahakyan was backed by the ruling Democratic Party of Artsakh
, by two opposition parties, and by the current Armenia
n leadership. There was an approximately 80% turnout in the polls.
His main challenger was considered to be Deputy Foreign Minister Masis Mayilyan. Parliament deputy Armen Abgaryan, Communist Party of Artsakh leader Hrant Melkumyan, and Vanya Avanesyan, a professor at Artsakh State University, were also candidates.
Sahakyan was sworn in on 7 September 2007.
, the EU
, NATO, the Council of Europe
, the OSCE
did not recognize the legitimacy of the presidential election in Nagorno-Karabakh. The Presidency of the European Union stated that despite their position, the elections "should not have any impact on the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Furthermore, the EU recalls that refugees and internally-displaced persons should be given the right to a safe, secure and dignified return of their homes in order to fully participate in electoral acts."
Similarly, the chair of the Council of Europe
’s Committee of Ministers
stated that it "reiterates its full support to the OSCE Minsk Group and its Co-Chairmen in their efforts towards a settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. It notes with concern that conducting such “elections”, thus pre-empting the outcome of the ongoing negotiations, cannot contribute to the resolution of the conflict. It calls on all parties concerned to intensify their efforts to find a peaceful solution to the conflict, in accordance with the commitment undertaken by Armenia and Azerbaijan upon accession to the Council of Europe."
Separate statements of non-recognition of the election were released by the United States and the foreign affairs ministries and embassies of several European and Middle Eastern countries.
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic
The Nagorno-Karabakh Republic , or Artsakh Republic is a de facto independent republic located in the South Caucasus region of Eurasia...
was held on 19 July 2007. The incumbent Arkady Ghukasyan was constitutionally barred from seeking a third term and had endorsed Bako Sahakyan
Bako Sahakyan
Bako Sahakyan was the former security chief of the self-proclaimed Nagorno-Karabakh Republic and currently the fourth president of the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic...
, who was the head of the National Security Service
National Security Service
National Security Service could refer to:*National Security Service *National Security Service *National Security Service *National Security Service *National Security Service...
. Sahakyan was backed by the ruling Democratic Party of Artsakh
Democratic Party of Artsakh
The Democratic Party of Artsakh is the ruling political party in Nagorno-Karabakh .The Democratic Party received 12 out of 33 seats in the 19 June 2005 elections....
, by two opposition parties, and by the current Armenia
Armenia
Armenia , officially the Republic of Armenia , is a landlocked mountainous country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia...
n leadership. There was an approximately 80% turnout in the polls.
His main challenger was considered to be Deputy Foreign Minister Masis Mayilyan. Parliament deputy Armen Abgaryan, Communist Party of Artsakh leader Hrant Melkumyan, and Vanya Avanesyan, a professor at Artsakh State University, were also candidates.
Results
According to preliminary official results, turnout was 77.36% and Sahakyan won with 85.4% of the votes. Mayilyan won 12.2%, and none of the other three candidates polled more than 1.5%.Sahakyan was sworn in on 7 September 2007.
International reaction
Numerous international organizations such as the UNUnited Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
, the EU
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
, NATO, the Council of Europe
Council of Europe
The Council of Europe is an international organisation promoting co-operation between all countries of Europe in the areas of legal standards, human rights, democratic development, the rule of law and cultural co-operation...
, the OSCE
Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe is the world's largest security-oriented intergovernmental organization. Its mandate includes issues such as arms control, human rights, freedom of the press and fair elections...
did not recognize the legitimacy of the presidential election in Nagorno-Karabakh. The Presidency of the European Union stated that despite their position, the elections "should not have any impact on the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Furthermore, the EU recalls that refugees and internally-displaced persons should be given the right to a safe, secure and dignified return of their homes in order to fully participate in electoral acts."
Similarly, the chair of the Council of Europe
Council of Europe
The Council of Europe is an international organisation promoting co-operation between all countries of Europe in the areas of legal standards, human rights, democratic development, the rule of law and cultural co-operation...
’s Committee of Ministers
Committee of Ministers
The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe or commonly the Committee of Ministers is the Council of Europe's decision-making body. It comprises the Foreign Affairs Ministers of all the member states, or their permanent diplomatic representatives in Strasbourg...
stated that it "reiterates its full support to the OSCE Minsk Group and its Co-Chairmen in their efforts towards a settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. It notes with concern that conducting such “elections”, thus pre-empting the outcome of the ongoing negotiations, cannot contribute to the resolution of the conflict. It calls on all parties concerned to intensify their efforts to find a peaceful solution to the conflict, in accordance with the commitment undertaken by Armenia and Azerbaijan upon accession to the Council of Europe."
Separate statements of non-recognition of the election were released by the United States and the foreign affairs ministries and embassies of several European and Middle Eastern countries.