We Fully Support EU High Representative Josep Borrell's Statement of July 26: European Parliament

The President of the European Parliament's Delegation for Relations with the South Caucasus, Marina Kaljurand, along with permanent reporters for Armenia and Azerbaijan, Andrei Kovachev and Zeljana Zovko, have issued a joint statement regarding the serious humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh.

“We are deeply concerned about the rapid deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh due to Azerbaijan's continued blockade of the Lachin corridor, violating its obligations under the November 9, 2020 ceasefire statement and the International Court of Justice's legally binding decision of February 22, 2023, reaffirmed on July 6, 2023.

For almost eight months, the population of Nagorno-Karabakh has been suffering from the consequences of the blockade, surviving only on local production and essential humanitarian supplies, particularly from the ICRC. In recent weeks, the extension of Azerbaijan's blockade has also led to a shortage of basic foodstuffs, vital medical supplies, and other necessary goods, while fuel shortages have disrupted local production and distribution. Medical evacuations conducted by the ICRC have also been interrupted.

Approximately 120,000 residents of Nagorno-Karabakh are facing a humanitarian crisis that requires urgent attention from the international community.

We fully support the statement by EU High Representative Josep Borrell on July 26, 2023. We condemn the ongoing blockade of humanitarian supplies and the politicization of humanitarian access, which further exacerbates the already dire situation in the region.

Azerbaijan's proposal to provide assistance via Agdam is unrelated to its obligations regarding the Lachin corridor, which must be upheld. Access to humanitarian aid in the region should be permitted, and any obstacles to access are violations of international humanitarian law. The opening of additional routes is only commendable but is a separate issue that must be coordinated in the context of direct negotiations between Baku and Stepanakert.

We fully support the diplomatic efforts of European Council President Charles Michel in seeking a sustainable and long-term resolution to the decades-long conflict and crisis by supporting negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan. During the last meeting held in Brussels on July 15, 2023, both sides agreed, among other urgent issues, to facilitate humanitarian access to the region to alleviate human suffering. Unfortunately, the ongoing blockade contradicts the goal of peaceful negotiations and the much-needed efforts to build trust.

Let us recall that on March 15, 2023, the European Parliament called on the Council to impose targeted sanctions against Azerbaijani officials if the International Court of Justice's decision of February 22, 2023, is not implemented immediately. We also remind that on June 13, 2023, during a plenary session of the European Parliament, the EU high representative committed to raising the issue of the imposition of such sanctions in the Council. We reiterate our call to Baku to immediately end the blockade and respect international obligations and norms to prevent humanitarian disaster,” the statement reads.