11/12/2006 (Agence Europe) - In a statement issued on 11 December on behalf of the European Union, the Finnish EU Council Presidency states: “The European Union is aware that a "constitutional referendum" took place in Nagorno Karabakh on 10 December 2006. The EU recalls that it does not recognize the independence of Nagorno Karabakh. It recognizes neither the "referendum" nor its outcome. The EU reiterates its firm support to the OSCE Minsk Group and its Co-Chairmen, and their efforts towards a settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. The EU considers that conducting such a "referendum", thus pre-empting the outcome of the ongoing negotiations, did not contribute to constructive efforts at peaceful conflict resolution. It calls on all parties to the conflict to intensify their efforts to find a negotiated solution to the conflict.” (oj)