Azerbaijan continues its cynical strategy of instrumentalizing  alleged environmental concerns for political reasons - statement

ArmInfo.Azerbaijan appears committed to continuing its cynical strategy of instrumentalizing  alleged environmental concerns for political reasons. This is stated in a statement by the office of the representative of Armenia on International Legal Matters.

The source notes, in part: "On 12 April 2024, the Republic of Armenia  participated in a first procedural hearing in the arbitration  proceedings between Azerbaijan and Armenia under the 1979 Bern  Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural  Habitats. The hearing was held at the Permanent Court of Arbitration  in the Peace Palace in The Hague, with Armenia's delegation led by  Dr. Yeghishe Kirakosyan, the Republic's Representative on  International Legal Matters.

Armenia's environmental record speaks for itself, and it has  repeatedly affirmed its commitment to the conservation of the  region's wildlife and preservation of the environment, including  through its close engagement with the Bern Convention's Standing  Committee.

In contrast, Azerbaijan appears committed to continuing its cynical  strategy of instrumentalizing alleged environmental concerns for  political reasons. Azerbaijan's military aggressions in recent years  have caused serious environmental damage to the region by destroying  forests, contaminating soil and lakes, and depleting the Sarsang  Reservoir. The flora, fauna, and habitats of Nagorno-Karabakh are  also imperiled by Azerbaijan's incessant demolition and construction  activities, which are being conducted in a transparent effort to  prevent ethnic Armenians from returning to their homeland.

Armenia looks forward to vindicating and defending its position and  interests in these proceedings, both by refuting Azerbaijan's  baseless claims, and, at the appropriate juncture of the arbitral  proceedings, advancing its own claims seeking justice for  Azerbaijan's ongoing disregard of its environmental obligations under  international law."