Azerbaijan Attempts to Exploit Any 'Balanced' Approach by International Actors: Armenian Foreign Ministry

The Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has released a statement noting that during the urgent meeting of the UN Security Council convened at the request of the Republic of Armenia on August 16, it was reaffirmed that international partners, despite Azerbaijan's ongoing disinformation campaigns, clearly recognize the serious humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh and the importance of addressing it.

“During this second discussion within the UN Security Council format, the assessments and targeted messages directed at Azerbaijan effectively complemented the clear positions expressed so far by various governments, international organizations, and human rights organizations. The statements made by member states and the EU representative were particularly significant, emphasizing that Azerbaijan must lift the illegal blockade of the Lachin corridor in accordance with the trilateral statement of November 9, 2020, and the binding legal decisions of the International Court of Justice dated February 22 and July 6. It was unequivocally stressed that the severe humanitarian situation created for the population of Nagorno-Karabakh, which has been ongoing for over eight months, must be resolved.

It is evident that Azerbaijan continues to distort the appeals of the international community, seeking false and untenable pretexts to avoid fulfilling its obligations, and prolonging the humanitarian crisis, including subjecting the indigenous population of Nagorno-Karabakh to ethnic cleansing through starvation. Furthermore, Azerbaijan attempts to exploit any 'balanced' approach by international actors, interpreting it as a permit for the continuation of its adopted policy.

We emphasize the urgency of utilizing all available international tools to resolve the humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh and to restore uninterrupted movement in both directions through the Lachin corridor, as well as to ensure unhindered access of international humanitarian organizations to Nagorno-Karabakh.

The Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, highly appreciating the principled and just stance of the member states of the UN Security Council committed to promoting international security and peace, will continue its work on various platforms, including the UN Security Council, by consistently taking steps toward unblocking the Lachin corridor and overcoming the humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh,” the statement said.