In response to an urgent inquiry to the European Commission the Member of the European Parliament (MEP) Loucas Fourlas (Cyprus, EPP), the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission Josep Borrell on behalf of the European Commission condemned the bombing of the Ghazanchetsots Cathedral in Shushi by the Azerbaijani armed forces, reports the European Armenian Federation for Justice and Democracy (EAFJD).
An urgent inquiry by MEP Fourlas stated that the Azerbaijani armed forces, in violation of international law of war, targeted and attacked the Ghazanchetsots Cathedral in Shushi on October 8, 2020. The MEP asks the European Commission whether it intends to take steps to “protect the civilian population and religious places of worship of Artsakh”.
In response to the MEP, the European Commission states that it strongly condemns the destruction of religious and historical monuments in Artsakh, emphasizes the importance of preserving and restoring cultural and religious heritage.
In his response, the High Representative of the European Commission also referred to UN Security Council Resolution 2347 (2017), which defines the targeting of religious, educational and cultural centers as war crimes.
The European Commission also welcomes the mission initiated by UNESCO to the regions of Artsakh currently under Azerbaijani control. This mission is aimed at the preliminary documentary assessment of the Armenian cultural heritage. The mission will also support the preservation and restoration of Armenian cultural sites.
