The European Union issued a statement regarding the current blocking of the Lachin Corridor and the growing border tension between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
In particular, it is said in the statement.
“1. The European Union follows with great concern the restrictions on free movement through the Lachin Corridor and the serious humanitarian and security consequences affecting the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh.
2. Traffic through the Lachin Corridor was blocked for almost 9 months, and since June 15, the corridor has been almost entirely closed, except for occasional medical evacuations. As a result, medicine and necessities are in dire shortage or have already run out, with dire consequences for the local population.
3. The EU regrets that the International Committee of the Red Cross’s activities in the region have been seriously hampered and calls for complete and speedy restoration, including transporting humanitarian goods.
4. The EU reiterates its call by the EU High Commissioner for External Relations on July 26 to ensure freedom and security of movement in both directions through the Lachine Corridor and to ensure that the crisis does not escalate further, in line with the Tripartite Statement of November 2020. The December 2022 temporary measures of the European Court of Human Rights and the February 2023 decision of the International Court of Justice.
5. The EU noted the Azerbaijani authorities’ willingness to supply goods through the city of Aghdam. The EU is adamant that previous agreements and the decision of the International Court of Justice should unblock the Lachin Corridor.
6. The EU closely monitors the growing tension along the international border between Azerbaijan and Armenia. The EU reports shooting incidents are reported almost daily. We call on all parties to avoid further incidents and return to dialogue.
7. The EU Mission in Armenia (EUMA) conducts on-the-spot monitoring and reporting patrols along the international border between Armenia and Azerbaijan on the Armenian side to contribute to the settlement of the conflict and strengthen trust between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
8. The EU reiterates its calls for restraint and dialogue between all parties involved. Sustained efforts to restore trust between Armenia and Azerbaijan are needed to ensure peace and stability in the region for the benefit of the local civilian population. The early establishment of dialogue between representatives of Armenians living in Baku and the former Nagorno-Karabakh autonomous region is of crucial importance, in particular, from the point of view of solving the humanitarian crisis in the area, as well as the rights and security of Karabakh Armenians and other issues.
9. The EU also notes that the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe is ready to cooperate with all relevant parties to help overcome the existing humanitarian problems.
10. The EU, particularly Charles Michel, the President of the Council of Europe, actively supports the normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
11. On July 15, 2023, at the last tripartite meeting organized by the President of the Council of Europe, Michel, with the participation of the President of Azerbaijan, Aliyev, and the Prime Minister of Armenia, Pashinyan, the leaders of the two countries reaffirmed their firm commitment to the peace process. They reaffirmed their full respect for each other’s territorial integrity and sovereignty and their unequivocal commitment to the 1991 Almaty Declaration as a political framework for border demarcation. The final delimitation of the border should be agreed through negotiations. Further significant progress in delimitation is essential in reducing tension and preventing misunderstandings and incidents at the international border.
12. Violence, threats, harsh rhetoric, and disinformation spread must stop to create an environment conducive to peace and settlement negotiations. Their commitment to honest dialogue remains as relevant as ever. It requires genuine commitment from all parties to achieve agreed outcomes. The humanitarian issues must be resolved, and concrete steps must be taken immediately to restore trust.
13. The EU remains fully committed to promoting dialogue between Armenia and Azerbaijan and supporting efforts to strengthen peace and security in the South Caucasus to benefit everyone in the region. We should keep the impulse gained in recent months to settle the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan. It is essential to continue the negotiations,” said the message quoted by “Armenpress” news agency.
