Open the Lachin Corridor and Utilize the Aghdam Route: Charles Michel's Proposal

The President of the European Council, Charles Michel, has issued a statement regarding the normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan and the situation in Artsakh.

To address the humanitarian crisis in Artsakh, President Michel proposed a phased approach that reflects consistency in the full functioning of the Lachin Corridor and the opening of the Aghdam route. This was announced by the spokesperson for the President of the European Council, Ekaterina Kasinzhe.

According to her, the sequence of these steps and the type of cargo delivered via each route, as well as the related procedures, have been at the center of recent discussions.

“President Michel is actively involved in promoting the resolution process of Armenian-Azerbaijani relations. In recent weeks, his efforts, supported by the EU representative in the South Caucasus, Toivo Klaar, have prioritized addressing the humanitarian situation of the Armenian population living in Nagorno-Karabakh. Klaar and President Michel's team have frequently communicated with representatives from Baku, Yerevan, and the Armenian community of Artsakh to devise a solution for unblocking access,” said Kasinzhe.

She emphasized that the humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh is deteriorating rapidly, and it is critically important to take steps to meet the needs of the local population.

“The EU is firmly convinced that the Lachin Corridor must be unblocked in accordance with previous agreements and the order of the International Court, and notes that the utilization of the Aghdam road for supply deliveries can also be part of a specific and sustainable solution to meet urgent and daily essential needs,” Kasinzhe stated.

She reported that this discussion began on July 15, 2023, in Brussels, following the recent meeting of Michel, Pashinyan, and Aliyev.