Brussels Summit Falls Short in Addressing Artsakh Crisis, Pashinyan Reports

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has raised concerns over the ongoing ethnic cleansing efforts by Azerbaijan in Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh), highlighting the lack of substantial progress following a recent trilateral meeting. The meeting, held between Pashinyan, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, and President of the European Council Charles Michel in Brussels, failed to yield concrete outcomes, particularly concerning the opening of the Lachin Corridor and the urgent humanitarian situation in Artsakh.

Speaking during a Cabinet meeting on July 20, Pashinyan expressed disappointment in the meeting's results, stressing the need for international involvement in facilitating productive dialogue between Stepanakert and Baku. He underscored that Azerbaijan's ongoing aggressive rhetoric and threats against Armenians of Artsakh make international intervention essential for any meaningful progress.

Pashinyan condemned Azerbaijan's actions, labeling them as a concrete plan executed through the illegal blockade of the Lachin Corridor. This blockade has resulted in the deprivation of essential resources, such as electricity, natural gas, and food, aimed at rendering life unsustainable for the Armenian population in Artsakh.

The Armenian Prime Minister expressed dismay that Azerbaijan has yet to comply with the rulings of the International Court of Justice, which ordered the reopening of the Lachin Corridor on February 22 and July 6. Despite these setbacks, Pashinyan called for continued efforts to address the humanitarian crisis in Artsakh and to garner broader international media coverage of the dire situation.

The recent Brussels summit underscored the ongoing challenges in resolving the Artsakh crisis and ensuring the well-being and security of its population. The international community remains vigilant as discussions persist in search of a comprehensive solution.