On January 25, Foreign Minister of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan, who is in Brussels on a working visit, met Josep Borrell, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

During the meeting, the two exchanged views on regional security and stability. Mirzoyan highly appreciated the decision to deploy an EU civilian monitoring mission in Armenia.

Mirzoyan drew Borrel’s attention to the humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh resulting from Azerbaijan’s illegal blockade of the Lachin Corridor. It was stressed that, according to the provisions of the Trilateral Statement of November 9th, Azerbaijan should immediately stop the Lachin Corridor blockade. The Armenian side emphasized the implementation of practical steps by the international community to prevent Azerbaijan’s policy of ethnic cleansing of Nagorno-Karabakh.

The Foreign Minister of Armenia and the EU High Representative discussed the developments in the normalization process of Armenia-Azerbaijan relations.

The developments in the normalization process of Armenia-Turkey relations were also touched upon.

Issues related to the further development of the Armenia-EU partnership were also on the agenda of the meeting.

Since December 12, the sole road connecting Nagorno Karabakh to Armenia - the Lachin Corridor - has been blocked by self-described Azerbaijani environmentalists. Karabakh residents have reported food and fuel shortages, while hospital patients don't have access to essential medicines, with only a handful allowed transfer to facilities in Armenia proper.