European Parliament Condemns Recent Clashes

The head of the European Parliament's delegation for relations with the South Caucasus, Marina Kaljurand, along with the main rapporteurs on Armenia and Azerbaijan, Andrey Kovachev and Zeliha Zovko, has issued a joint statement regarding the recent deadly clashes at the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan. They expressed their condolences for the Armenian soldiers killed as a result of provocations by Azerbaijani military forces and condemned inflammatory and irresponsible statements from the Azerbaijani side concerning Armenian territories.

This was reported by the official website of the European Parliament.

“We mourn the death of three Armenian soldiers, who were killed in clashes with Azerbaijani forces on July 28 on the border in the Gegharkunik region. According to reports, the incidents began early in the morning after fire was opened on Armenian positions and several Armenian villages. We extend our deepest condolences to their families. Unfortunately, this is just one of a series of incidents or provocations in recent months, including violence at the interstate border, which began after the Azerbaijani troops invaded Armenian territory on May 12. The recent gunfire incident that occurred at the Nakhchivan border, where another Armenian soldier was killed, is no less concerning. We call on both sides to strictly adhere to the ceasefire and avoid any provocation. Any potential disputes regarding the border should be resolved through negotiations on demarcation and delimitation, rather than the use of force or unilateral actions. All troops should withdraw to the positions occupied before May 12, in accordance with the provisions of the trilateral ceasefire declaration,” stated the MEPs.

The European Parliament delegation emphasized that it is extremely important to immediately cease “inflammatory rhetoric” for the stabilization of the situation and the de-escalation of tensions. In this context, Kaljurand, Kovachev, and Zovko condemned the recent statements made by Azerbaijani representatives concerning the so-called “Western Zangezur” and their claims regarding Armenian territories as “ancient lands” of Azerbaijanis.

“Such statements are profoundly irresponsible and can further undermine regional security. We remind that the European Union is committed to supporting confidence-building measures and resolving all issues at the negotiating table, including the resumption of negotiations regarding the resolution of the protracted conflict and the future status of Nagorno-Karabakh,” the statement from the European Parliament's delegation for relations with the South Caucasus said.