Clear Steps Needed: Rubinyan on Azerbaijan's Actions in Artsakh

During a urgent discussion on the humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh at the autumn session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), the head of the Armenian delegation, Ruben Rubinyan, recalled that upon becoming a member of the Council of Europe, Azerbaijan committed to resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict peacefully and without the use of force.

“In 2020, Azerbaijan started a war against Nagorno-Karabakh. Our Azerbaijani counterpart openly stated that they decided to use force and take pride in it. This is a violation of their constitutional obligations. Exactly three years later, last month, they again attacked Nagorno-Karabakh calling it an 'anti-terrorist operation', and they continue to take pride in it,” Rubinyan noted.

He also addressed the blockade that preceded this assault, which aimed to starve the people, condemn them to freezing conditions, and ultimately open a one-directional corridor. Rubinyan emphasized that Azerbaijan has denied the fact of the blockade for months.

The MP also reminded that Azerbaijan refers to Armenia as “Western Azerbaijan”, indicating that it poses a threat to international security and international law. Rubinyan warned that clear steps are necessary to show Azerbaijan that it cannot continue its aggressive policy.