ArmInfo.Belgium is deeply concerned about the aggravation of the situation in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone. Belgian Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib stated on August 22 at a joint press conference with her Armenian counterpart Ararat Mirzoyan, adding that she had arrived in Yerevan to express support for the Armenian side in this difficult situation.
"I say clearly: the only way to resolve this historic conflict is through negotiations and compromises, and this is a difficult task to achieve. In 2023, within the framework of the meetings organized by President of the European Council Charles Michel, there was progress on the agreements reached - the heads of the two states have reciprocally recorded each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity. And I welcome the Armenian Prime Minister's courageous statements pertaining to the path of peace. The agreements reached must be respected on the ground. The rights of the Armenian population must also be guaranteed," she said, noting that she would remind her Azerbaijani counterpart of this during her forthcoming visit to Baku.
At the same time, Lahbib expressed her conviction that the peace treaty between Yerevan and Baku is tangible, and it is the duty of each head of state to make it possible for the peoples of Armenia and Azerbaijan to live in peace.
"New consultations should be held in Brussels, as well as in Yerevan and Baku, and we hope that they will be historic. And to achieve this goal, you can rely on the European Union," the Belgian Foreign Minister said.
She also welcomed Armenia's decision to host a EU civilian mission on its territory, the purpose of which is to ensure stability and security in the border area.
The diplomat once again stressed Belgium's concern over the worsening humanitarian situation in the region due to the blockade of the Kashatagh (Lachin) corridor. According to her, during today's meeting with representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross, she once again convinced of the difficult situation in which the population of Nagorno Karabakh is. "To ensure the security of the population of Nagorno-Karabakh and free movement along the Kashatagh corridor is Azerbaijan's obligation. Belgium, as well as the EU, will continue to be guided by this approach in diplomatic contacts," she concluded.
As Mirzoyan said in turn, the meeting discussed the worsening humanitarian crisis in Artsakh, caused by the illegal blockade of the Kashatagh corridor by Azerbaijan.
According to him, he touched in detail on the irreversible grave consequences of the crisis around Artsakh. "We also touched upon the urgent meeting of the UN Security Council, which was held on August 16, and the targeted messages of international partners, including from Belgium, made after the blockade of the Kashatagh corridor by Azerbaijan in December 2022, and to which we attach utmost importance," the Armenian Foreign Minister noted.
In this vein, Mirzoyan drew attention to the fact that despite these calls and the decisions of the International Court of Justice on February 22 and July 6 of this year, Azerbaijan keeps the Kashatagh corridor closed. He emphasized that the actions of Azerbaijan pursue the goal of ethnic cleansing of the people of Nagorno Karabakh, which was repeatedly warned by Armenia.
"I also stressed that in recent days Azerbaijan has been periodically violating the ceasefire in Artsakh, as well as shelling the positions of the Armenian Armed Forces on the Armenian-Azerbaijani state border. This was also reported by the EU observation mission in Armenia. We have also repeatedly emphasized that Azerbaijan constantly violates all provisions of the tripartite statement of November 9, 2020, including the point regarding the return of all Armenian prisoners of war and civilians. And today, in fact, Azerbaijan is holding hostage the 120,000th population of Artsakh," the Armenian minister stated.
The Armenian Foreign Minister expressed his conviction that by these actions, Azerbaijan is challenging the efforts of the international community and the Republic of Armenia to establish long-term peace and security in the region. "And we expect our international partners to show political will and take practical actions to change the militaristic, inhumane and destructive behavior of Azerbaijan. I would like to reaffirm Armenia's position on achieving peace in the region through peaceful negotiations," the RA Foreign Minister concluded.