European Parliament member Marina Kaljurand, who chairs the Delegation for Relations with the South Caucasus, issued the following statement today regarding the closure of the Lachin Corridor.

Strasbourg, 15 December 2022 - “I am gravely concerned by the actions of the Azerbaijani state authorities and purported environmental protesters in the Lachin Corridor on 3 December and again since 12 December, resulting in the blocking of the road connecting Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia, which is a vital supply line for the Armenian population of the region.

Moreover, the reported disruption of gas supply to Nagorno-Karabakh via the pipeline passing through Azerbaijani-controlled territory is of utmost concern, adding to the risk of serious humanitarian consequences.

I recall that safe movement through the Lachin Corridor is guaranteed under the trilateral statement of 9 November 2020.

I urge the government of Azerbaijan to fulfil its obligations under this statement and call for utmost restraint in terms of both actions and rhetoric.

Once again, I underline the need for a comprehensive peace agreement which needs to provide firm guarantees for the rights and security of the Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh. I call for the urgent resumption of negotiations at the highest level, with the facilitation of the EU, and de-escalation of the situation.”