“NAGORNO-KARABAKH UNDER INHUMANE SIEGE” Op-ed by ambassador Garen Nazarian in the Portuguese Diário de Notícias daily

15 February, 2023

Today the people in Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh are facing unprecedented challenges that continue to threaten the stability and security of the South Caucasus region. All of them were perfectly summed up in the recent calls made by world leaders and parliaments calling for the release of the Armenian prisoners of war and civilians held in Azerbaijan and the lifting of the blockade of the Lachin corridor. These strong voices were heard in Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh. I hope it was heard and heeded in Azerbaijan as well.

In this context, the targeted messages from the international community, including the media, are critical. Despite the efforts made by Armenia, the security environment in the region remains tense and fragile, and the probability of a new escalation is substantial. The security challenges resulting from the 2020 war unleashed by Azerbaijan against Nagorno-Karabakh, the subsequent Azerbaijani aggression and occupation of the sovereign territory of Armenia in 2021 and 2022 not only undermine our efforts towards establishing peace and stability in the South Caucasus but also threaten our democracy.

For the last two years, the Armenian government has pursued peace agenda and, having the political will to normalize relations with Azerbaijan, has been engaged in good faith in talks. In response, Azerbaijan raised new territorial claims and tried to justify its last aggression with a fake argument that the border with Armenia is not delimited. Today, Azerbaijan uses all possible instruments of pressure: from illegally keeping Armenian prisoners of war and civilians as hostages to the state-sponsored spread of hate speech against Armenians, from warmongering rhetoric to concrete use of force. It is also clear that so far, Azerbaijan's actions have once again proven the absolute necessity of international engagement to address the rights and security issues of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh.

At this very moment, the 120 thousand people in Nagorno-Karabakh remain under inhumane siege because of the illegal blockade of the Lachin corridor - the lifeline, the only road connecting Nagorno-Karabakh with Armenia. By creating unbearable living conditions, Azerbaijan aims to coerce the people of Nagorno-Karabakh to leave their ancestral homes and native land. The recent statement of the president of Azerbaijan suggesting the deportation of those Armenians who do not want to become citizens of Azerbaijan comes to prove once again their intention of ethnic cleansing.

As the humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh is worsening with each passing day, the immediate intervention of the international community is required to ensure unhindered humanitarian access to Nagorno-Karabakh for relevant UN bodies. We cannot stand by and watch how people slowly starve to death because of political games and perhaps geopolitical considerations. A decisive intervention, intense pressure on Azerbaijan, and tangible actions are urgently required. It should be explained to Azerbaijan that there are certain international rules by which everybody has to abide.

Today, Armenia calls for implementing relevant international mechanisms to stop the illegal blockade and prevent ethnic cleansing in the region and highlights the importance of deploying an international fact-finding mission to the Lachin corridor and Nagorno-Karabakh. In this context, we underline the important role of the EU Monitoring Mission in Armenia, ensuring stability around the country's borders.

There is only one way of solving all the issues - peaceful negotiations. The international community, particularly the European Union, Portugal, and Armenia's other partners, have a role to play. We have repeatedly announced our readiness for constructive dialogue in an environment free from hate speech, preconditions, and warmongering rhetoric for sustainable peace and development in the South Caucasus. Peaceful settlement of existing issues and contradictions has no alternative, and this is our belief.

For original text in Portuguese please visit https://www.dn.pt/opiniao/nagorno-karabakh-sob-um-cerco-desumano-15837745.html

MFA RA
official website

Dual citizenship

Electronic visa

Visa applications