Andrey Kovatchev: The EU must guarantee the Armenians of Artsakh a safe return and security in Nagorno-Karabakh

We have been witness to the ultimate failure of the
international community within the past few decades. European Parliament’s
Standing Rapporteur on Armenia, MEP Andrey Kovatchev said this during the
European Parliament’s discussion entitled ‘The situation in Nagorno-Karabakh
after Azerbaijan’s attack and the continuing threats against Armenia’.

“There used to be three basic principles agreed upon by
Armenia and Azerbaijan, namely the non-use of force, the right to
self-determination and territorial integrity. Azerbaijan violated two of them
by using force on many occasions and by not allowing the people of
Nagorno-Karabakh to exercise their right to self-determination.

Currently, we are observing acts of ethnic cleansing and the
creation of appalling conditions for the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh. First,
the blockade of the Lachin corridor led to a lack of basic commodities and
services. Second, the hate rhetoric and actions of the Azerbaijani government
at all levels created a poisonous atmosphere and fear, and led to the mass
exodus of the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh,” Kovatchev stated.

According to him, these people’s suffering is the result of
bigger geopolitical calculations, where Russia disregarded its obligations
arising from the November 9, 2020, tripartite statement and took the side of
Azerbaijan to punish the Armenian government for its attempts to strengthen the
relations between Armenia and the EU.

Kovatchev called on the EU to immediately and consistently
provide humanitarian assistance to those suffering. He also noted that
Azerbaijan has to guarantee the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh a safe return and
security in Nagorno-Karabakh. As he stated, these conditions should be observed
by international monitors.