Thursday, October 19 2023 10:25

ArmInfo. Below is a statement by the EU Committee of Ministers on the situation around Nagorno-Karabakh. 

The European Union continues to follow with concern the extremely  difficult situation arising from the mass exodus of Karabakh  Armenians following Azerbaijan's military operation on 19 and 20  September and the nine months-long blockade on the Lachin corridor.  Nearly the entire population of Nagorno- Karabakh, over 100,600  persons, have found refuge in Armenia.

It is imperative to ensure continuous unimpeded humanitarian support  to those who are still in need in Karabakh, as well as to those who  have left. The European Commission last week announced an additional  package of humanitarian aid of EUR 10.45 million on top of the EUR  20.8 million already provided since 2020.

Azerbaijan has to ensure the human rights, fundamental freedoms and  security of the Karabakh Armenians, including their right to live in  their homes in dignity, without intimidation or discrimination, as  well as to create the conditions for the voluntary, safe, dignified  and sustainable return of refugees and displaced persons to  Nagorno-Karabakh with due respect for their history, culture and  human rights. In addition, the cultural heritage and property rights  of the local population need to be effectively protected and  guaranteed.

In this regard, we remind that Azerbaijan must comply with the  interim measures indicated by the European Court of Human Rights on  22 September, i.e. to refrain from taking any measures which might  entail breaches of their obligations under the Convention, notably  Article 2 (right to life) and Article 3 (prohibition of torture and  inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment).

We took note of President Aliyev's public remarks about willingness  to live in peace with Karabakh Armenians and preserve their rights.  Azerbaijan has a clear primary responsibility for the fate of the  population. Tangible, concrete and transparent guarantees must be  provided. As an important confidence- building measure, we expect a  comprehensive amnesty for all Karabakh Armenians, including their  representatives, and restraint by all sides from harsh rhetoric.

International access to Karabakh is crucial when it comes to  providing much needed assistance and ensuring an independent  monitoring of the situation on the ground. The European Union has  taken note of the two recent UN visits. We praise the work of the  Special Representative of the Secretary General on Migration and  Refugees, who provides support and assistance to the Armenian  authorities in handling this massive exodus on its territory, and  look forward to the Council of Europe fact-finding mission led by  Commissioner for Human Rights Dunja Mijatovic and its subsequent  recommendations.

The EU reiterates its support to the sovereignty, inviolability of  borders and territorial integrity of both Azerbaijan and Armenia. We  call on Azerbaijan to reaffirm its unequivocal commitment to the  territorial integrity of Armenia, in line with the 1991 Almaty  Declaration.

The EU remains committed to facilitating dialogue between both sides  in order to ensure a comprehensive and sustainable peace for the  benefit of all populations in the region.

The following countries align with this statement: Albania, Andorra,  Bosnia and Herzegovina,  Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Montenegro,  North Macedonia, Norway, San Marino.