The military operation launched by Azerbaijan against Armenia amounts to the worst violation to-date of last year’s November 9 ceasefire agreement, a statement from the PACE reads.
In clashes launched by Azerbaijan on Tuesday, the Armenian side has confirmed the death of 1 serviceman, while 13 others have been captured by Azerbaijan. Two combat positions too have gone under the control of Azeri forces, 24 Armenian troops have gone missing.
The Chair of the Delegation for relations with the South Caucasus, MEP Marina Kaljurand, the European Parliament's Standing Rapporteur on Armenia, MEP Andrey Kovatchev, and the European Parliament's Standing Rapporteur on Azerbaijan, MEP Željana Zovko published the statement on Wednesday, November 17.
“We are seriously concerned by [the] heavy fighting, which followed the recent increase in tension on the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan," the statement said, noting the the as yet unconfirmed number of killed, wounded and captured soldiers.
"We urge the rapid de-escalation of the situation and welcome the engagement of the European Council President and the reported Russian-mediated ceasefire. We reiterate that any possible disagreements about the border must be addressed through negotiations in a border delimitation and demarcation process, not through the use of force and unilateral actions. We condemn any attempts at “borderisation”, as observed since the incursion of Azerbaijani troops into Armenian territory on 12 May."
The MEPs said they support and call for the opening of economic and transport connections as foreseen in the 9 November ceasefire agreement, which would be highly beneficial for the entire region.
"This includes the connection between the western regions of Azerbaijan and the Nakhijevan Autonomous Republic. To succeed, the parties should follow the text of the agreement and avoid a too extensive interpretation," the MEPs said.
The Azerbaijani side has on multiple occasions spoken about a so-called "corridor" through the southern Armenian province of Syunik that would connect Nakhijevan to the rest of Azerbaijan. The Armenian side, however, has repeatedly denied being involved in negotiations for the provision of a corridor to Azerbaijan, stressing that they have only agreed to unblock transport communications in the region.
"Moreover, we are concerned by reports of hindered traffic on roads that connect Armenian towns and villages through Azerbaijani territory and believe that such behaviour contradicts the spirit of this agreement and unduly hampers the lives of local citizens.
"We also regret that despite numerous calls from the international community, including the European Parliament resolution of 20 May 2021, many Armenian detainees held in connection with the conflict have yet to be released, and we renew our appeal to the Azerbaijani authorities on this issue. We also reiterate our call to exchange all up-to-date maps of minefields to permit civilians to return to former conflict regions."
