The European Union on Tuesday (December 13th) urged Azerbaijan to unblock the only road linking Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia and also expressed concern over a reported disruption of gas supplies to Karabakh.
« The European Union has been following with great concern the various developments around the Lachin Corridor since the beginning of December said Peter Stano, foreign policy spokesman for theUEin a press release.
« L’UE calls on the Azerbaijani authorities to ensure freedom and security of movement along the corridor, in accordance with the trilateral declaration of November 9, 2020 he added, referring to the Russian-brokered ceasefire that ended the last war in Karabakh. “ Restrictions on this freedom of movement cause significant distress to the local population and create humanitarian concerns. »
« Other concerns can and should be addressed through dialogue and consultation with affected parties Stano added. “ L’UE reiterates its call for restraint and stands ready to contribute to the aforementioned efforts. »
A section of the vital road has been blocked by a large group of Azerbaijanis since Monday morning. They demand that the Karabakh rulers allow the Azerbaijani government to inspect mining operations in the Armenian-populated territory.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Armenian Foreign Ministry condemned the transport blockade as a flagrant violation of the truce agreement. According to a ministry statement, the Azerbaijani government organized the blockade as part of its efforts to “ to clean Karabakh of its ethnic Armenian population.
On his Twitter page, Mr. Stano said that theUE was also “ concerned about reports that Azerbaijan has cut off the gas supply to Karabakh. »
Reprinted with permission from RFE/RL Copyright(c)2007 Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty, Inc.1201 Connecticut Ave, t N.W. Washington DC 200