News - European Parliament member: Removal from Karabakh should have serious consequences on EU relations with Azerbaijan

The EU should impose serious consequences if there are attempts to remove Karabakh Armenians from their homes. David McAllister, the chair of the European Parliament’s foreign affairs committee, has told this to the Guardian. “This weekend’s developments in Nagorno-Karabakh underscore the serious concern for the Armenian population there,” McAllister said. “The reported blockages of humanitarian aid corridors, amid Azerbaijan’s public reassurances for the safety of the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh, do not contribute to the de-escalation of the situation. Instead, they will likely lead to the expulsion of the local population,” he warned. The center-right German politician also cautioned that “the ceasefire as well as the meeting between representatives of the Karabakh Armenians and the Azerbaijani government in Yevlakh were first steps, but they cannot remain the only ones. “Azerbaijan must grant access to humanitarian organizations into the region, and guarantee the living standards, in order to credibly underline its commitment to lasting peace.” The EU, McAllister added, “should make it clear that any attempt to remove or coerce the Armenian population from the Nagorno-Karabakh region will have serious consequences for our relations with Azerbaijan.”