Nagorno Karabakh: forced displacement of civilian population will be met with strong response, says EU

On 21 September, the European Union condemned the military operation by Azerbaijan against the Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh and deplored the casualties and loss of life caused by this escalation. 

The EU also said that, following the ceasefire agreement, Brussels expects “an immediate and complete cessation of hostilities, and for the ceasefire to be respected”.

The EU calls on Azerbaijan to allow immediate and unimpeded humanitarian access to the population in need, including through a full re-opening of the Lachin corridor. 

“The humanitarian actors should be able to operate freely. The EU and its Member States stand ready to provide urgent humanitarian assistance,” says a press release by the European External Action Service (EEAS).

The EU also called on Baku and Karabakh Armenians to “urgently engage in a comprehensive and transparent dialogue”.

“Azerbaijan bears the responsibility to ensure the rights and security of the Karabakh Armenians, including their right to live in their homes without intimidation and discrimination,” says the press release. “Forced displacement of the civilian population through military or other means will be met with a strong response by the EU.”

The EU reiterated its support to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of both Azerbaijan and Armenia and called on Azerbaijan to reaffirm its unequivocal commitment to the territorial integrity of Armenia, in line with the 1991 Almaty Declaration.

The EU called for the resumption of negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan on all pending issues, in view of the conclusion of a peace treaty, and said it remains fully committed to facilitating dialogue between the sides.

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Press release