Azerbaijan Fully Responsible for Protecting Civilian Population, Says German Foreign Minister at UN

We firmly condemn Baku's military assault and call on them to permanently and definitively cease their military operations. This was stated by Germany's Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock during a UN Security Council meeting.

“Too many people have already been killed in just two days. Thousands have been forced to flee their homes. Azerbaijan has chosen the path of changing the facts on the ground through military force. We have taken note of information regarding a ceasefire, but we need all violence to stop completely. Azerbaijan bears full responsibility for fully and completely protecting the civilian population, especially children, living in Nagorno-Karabakh. The displacement of ethnic Armenians and forced emigration from Karabakh is unacceptable.

Having said this, I want to reaffirm several decisions previously made by this body: both Armenia’s and Azerbaijan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity should not be called into question. It is hard to imagine the suffering and difficulty endured by the women, children, and men living in Nagorno-Karabakh for months, after the authorities in Baku have effectively closed the Lachin corridor. Stores are empty, medicine has run out, and electricity and gasoline are insufficient. In recent weeks, we have worked tirelessly with numerous partners to provide humanitarian services and assistance to those in need, especially pregnant women, children, and the elderly. Just as a glimmer of hope emerged, humanitarian deliveries allowed into Nagorno-Karabakh, Baku violated its numerous assurances to refrain from using force, causing immense suffering to a population that is already in a dire situation.

The population of Nagorno-Karabakh deserves to live in security; they deserve to have their rights protected. Keeping the Lachin corridor open is of vital importance for humanitarian reasons, as it is also a cultural and social bridge for ethnic Armenians living in Karabakh. Baku and the Armenians of Karabakh need to return to dialogue. This conflict, which began thirty years ago, has caused a tremendous number of casualties. We need, and those living in the region need, lasting peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan. This can only be achieved at the negotiating table. I will continue to communicate this clearly to both sides and urge you to return to EU-mediated negotiations. Now is the time to de-escalate tensions, and I want to emphasize that no country should use the current situation to destabilize the democracy of Armenia.

The women, men, and children in Nagorno-Karabakh, and indeed the residents of the region, deserve to live without fear, without the fear of violence, without the fear of being forcibly displaced from their homes, without the fear of losing their rights, language, or religion. They deserve to live in peace, as we all do.