Josep Borrell, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy answered the questions and delivered remarks for the Members of European Parliament. In his statement, Borrell, in particular, said:
“The EU condemned Azerbaijan’s 19-20 September 2023 military operation1, which resulted in a mass exodus of over 100 500 Karabakh Armenians.
The EU’s priority is to guarantee continuous unimpeded humanitarian access and assistance to people who remain in NagornoKarabakh and to those displaced in Armenia. The EU has called upon Azerbaijan to ensure the rights and security of Karabakh Armenians, including the right of return for those displaced as well as to allow permanent independent monitoring of the situation on the ground, in addition to the visits of the United Nations missions.
The EU has doubled the humanitarian aid package to EUR 10.45 million and has activated the EU Civil Protection Mechanism2 at the request of Armenia. EUR 15 million of budget support will be allocated to Armenia to address socio-economic needs and fund food and fuel. Further actions are under preparation to provide short-term relief, as well as to support Armenia’s security and resilience, and the stability of its democratic institutions, including under the Economic and Investment Plan3.
Looking ahead, the EU remains fully committed and continues its efforts to support the resumption of negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan without delay, in view of the conclusion of a peace treaty”.
