Neglecting Humanitarian Crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh May Impact Azerbaijan-EU Relations: Borrell

During a question-and-answer session held in the European Parliament, Josep Borrell, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, also addressed the deepening humanitarian crisis in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) and the blockade of the Lachin Corridor.

"Armenia and Azerbaijan were discussed as a separate agenda item at the Foreign Affairs Council on June 26, 2023, where the High Representative/Vice-President provided an overview of the deteriorating situation resulting from the near-total blockade of the Lachin corridor. He cautioned Foreign Ministers about the risk of a humanitarian crisis and conveyed the European Parliament's call for sanctions against Azerbaijan. Several Member States expressed support for the President of the European Council and the High Representative's efforts and voiced concerns about the ongoing blockade of the corridor.

The EU has been closely monitoring developments in and around the Lachin corridor and their humanitarian consequences since December 2022. The EU has consistently called for the complete reopening of the corridor and remains deeply engaged at the highest levels in assisting Armenia and Azerbaijan in their efforts to achieve mutually acceptable normalization of relations.

In this context, the suspension of the Memorandum of Understanding on Energy signed with Azerbaijan on July 18, 2022, as part of the EU's energy source diversification efforts, is not currently under consideration. However, the EU will continue to emphasize to Baku the urgent need to address the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh. Failure to do so adequately could have practical consequences for its relations with the EU," the statement concludes.