Azerbaijan says separatist clashes no threat to Formula One

BAKU, Azerbaijan (AP) Azerbaijan says fighting with separatists from the region of Nagorno-Karabakh will not threaten its first-ever Formula One race in June.

A boy and at least 30 troops from both sides have been killed in the most intense fighting in the area since 1994 between Azerbaijan and ethnic Armenian forces.

Each side blames the other for the sudden increase in violence, which is taking place about 250 kilometers (155 miles) west of the Azerbaijani capital Baku, where the country's first F1 race is due to be held June 19.

Samaya Mammadova, spokeswoman for Azerbaijan's sports and youth ministry, says the fighting ''has no effect on events being hosted in the country,'' including F1, and that ''Azerbaijan always, to the highest standard, keeps athletes, tourists, fans and all participants safe.''