Brussels: Europe and the Arabs
European Foreign Policy Coordinator Josep Borrell said before the United Nations Security Council during a session on Nagorno-Karabakh that the European Union is closely following developments. According to a statement distributed in Brussels on Friday, Borrell added, “Let me begin by expressing my full solidarity with the Armenians in Karabakh, who are suffering from a period of extreme hardship.
They remained in isolation for several months due to the closure of the Lachin Pass, which led to food and medicine shortages. Their freedom of movement has been obstructed. They also faced multiple disruptions in gas and electricity delivery.
Azerbaijan bears the responsibility of ensuring full respect for the rights and security of Karabakh Armenians.
The European Union has repeatedly made clear that the use of force to resolve conflicts is unacceptable.
Therefore, the European Union condemned the military operation carried out by Azerbaijan, and we regret the victims and loss of life resulting from this escalation.
We have taken note of the relevant announcements regarding the ceasefire and expect that the cessation of hostilities and any type of violence will continue.
Local people urgently need humanitarian assistance, but also guarantees that their rights and security will be respected.
We therefore ask Azerbaijan to take concrete measures in this regard.
First, ensure unhindered humanitarian access to civilian populations in need, including by fully reopening the Lachin Corridor. It is important that humanitarian actors are able to continue to operate and expand their activities as needed in the current situation. The European Union and its Member States stand ready to provide urgent humanitarian assistance. Today, the European Commission announced the first package of humanitarian aid to support those in need.
Secondly, to engage in a comprehensive and transparent dialogue with the Armenians of Karabakh to guarantee their rights and security, including their right to live in their homes in dignity. We note that a meeting was held today on this issue.
Let me be clear: the European Union fully supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of both Azerbaijan and Armenia and expects all actors to do the same.
We call on Azerbaijan to reaffirm its firm commitment to Armenia's territorial integrity, and to agree to the demarcation of their bilateral borders, in line with the letter and spirit of the 1991 Almaty Declaration.
The European Union calls for the resumption of negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan on all outstanding issues with the aim of concluding a peace treaty.
We remain committed to continuing to facilitate dialogue between all parties in order to ensure a comprehensive and sustainable peace for the benefit of all peoples of the region.