The 25-nation bloc said it was "aware that a 'constitutional referendum' has taken place," but reiterated that only a negotiated settlement between Azerbaijan and ethnic Armenians who control the region can bring a lasting solution.

Officials said preliminary results indicated more than 98 percent of voters in Nagorno Karabakh on Sunday backed the proposed constitution, which describes the disputed territory as a "sovereign, democratic" state.

"The EU recalls that it does not recognize the independence of Nagorno Karabakh. It recognizes neither the 'referendum' nor its outcome," the EU said in a statement. It added that holding the referendum pre-empts the outcome of negotiations and "did not contribute to constructive efforts at peaceful conflict resolution." The Associated Press

/The International Herald Tribune/