EU, France urge Azerbaijan to resume supplies to Karabakh

PanARMENIAN.Net - The European Union and France urged Azerbaijan late on Tuesday, December 14 to unblock the sole road connecting Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia.

“The European Union has been following with serious concern the various developments around the Lachin corridor since the beginning of December,” Peter Stano, the EU foreign policy spokesman, said in a statement.

“The EU calls on the Azerbaijani authorities to ensure freedom and security of movement along the corridor, in line with the trilateral statement of 9 November 2020. Restrictions to such freedom of movement cause significant distress to the local population and create humanitarian concerns.

“Other concerns can and should be addressed through dialogue and consultations with the parties involved. The EU reiterates its call for restraint and stands ready to contribute to the above-mentioned efforts.”

Stano added that the EU is also “concerned by reports of Azerbaijan cutting off gas supply to Karabakh.”

France’s foreign ministry too urges to resume traffic via the Lachin corridor, linking Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh, without preconditions.

"France urges to resume supplies to Nagorno Karabakh via the Lachin corridor, respecting the rights of people living there," the ministry said, according to TASS.

Paris also reiterated "the need to observe provisions of the trilateral ceasefire agreement adopted on November 9, 2020."

"Azerbaijan undertook to guarantee the safety of people, transport and cargo moving along the Lachin corridor in both ways," the statement reads.

On Monday morning, several Azerbaijani nationals, who claimed to be environmental experts, blocked passage through the Lachin corridor, the only road linking Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh. Yerevan slammed this step as a provocation staged by Baku to cause a humanitarian collapse in Karabakh.