UN Security Council's discussion of latest military actions in Karabakh ended without adopting any document

Baku/22.09.23/Turan: The day before the UN Security Council meeting discussed the latest military operations in Karabakh and the humanitarian situation in the region.

Most of the representatives who spoke expressed concern that the latest military operation will damage the peace process and worsen the humanitarian situation of the local population.

US Representative Linda Thomas-Greenfield said her country was concerned about the continuation of military action in Karabakh and called for an immediate halt to these steps.

"The only solution to the crisis is to end the violence and achieve lasting peace. We emphasise the importance of an international mission to make sure that the rights and security of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh are protected in line with Azerbaijan's public statements," Thomas-Greenfield said.

Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan said Azerbaijan's military operation contradicts international law and the trilateral agreement signed in November 2020.

"The intensity and seriousness of this attack clearly show one thing: Azerbaijan's intention is to complete the ethnic cleansing of the Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh," Mirzoyan said.

He reported 200 people killed and another 400 wounded.

"These figures include civilians, women and children. More than 10,000 people, including children, women and the elderly, were forced to leave their homes and live in the open air without food," Mirzoyan noted.

In turn, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Ceyhun Bayramov emphasized the unreasonableness of Armenia's initiation of these discussions.

"Armenia's appeal is related to local anti-terrorist measures on its sovereign territory of Azerbaijan, and these measures fully comply with international law. Therefore, the convening of the Security Council by Armenia contradicts the UN Charter," the Azerbaijani Foreign Minister said.

Stressing that the military operation has already been stopped, Bayramov added that on the day of discussions in the UN Security Council official Baku has already held the first meeting with the Armenian residents of Karabakh within the framework of reintegration dialogue. He said that the central government of Azerbaijan will provide humanitarian aid to Karabakh Armenians in the nearest future.

He rejected the Armenian Foreign Minister's accusations of Azerbaijan's violation of the trilateral agreement. "On the contrary, it is Armenia that keeps troops on the territory of Azerbaijan and this is a violation of the agreement. No sovereign state will turn a blind eye to such a powerful military presence on its soil, and Azerbaijan is no exception," Bayramov emphasised.

Despite all difficulties, Azerbaijan is committed to genuine dialogue and negotiations based on equal and mutual respect. "At the same time, Azerbaijan guarantees ethnic Armenians living in the Karabakh region of the country all rights and freedoms provided for in its constitution and relevant international human rights mechanisms," Bayramov said.

During Bayramov's speech Mirzoyan tried to make a demarche and demonstratively left the hall. However, none of those present followed him.

French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna accused Azerbaijan of "violating the UN Charter." The French diplomat stressed that nobody questioned Nagorno-Karabakh's belonging to Azerbaijan and its territorial integrity. At the same time, she noted that Paris considers the actions of the Azerbaijani authorities "unacceptable".

In her opinion, the Azerbaijani authorities "should right now provide tangible guarantees" to the Karabakh Armenians, "avoid the use of force or threats", "guarantee amnesty to those who agreed to the ceasefire", as well as "immediately and without preconditions restore movement through the Lachin corridor".

The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Joseph Borrell, began his speech by expressing "solidarity" with the Karabakh Armenians and added that the use of force to resolve disputes was unacceptable.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Berbock (who attended the event as an invited participant) condemned Azerbaijan. At the same time, she called on the conflicting sides to return to negotiations - with the mediation of the European Union.

"I want to make it clear that the European Union supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of both Azerbaijan and Armenia, and we expect the same position from all. We call for the resumption of peace talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan and express our readiness to continue to support this dialogue," Borrell said.

"Azerbaijan had no choice but to carry out anti-terrorist measures against illegal armed groups in Karabakh to ensure its security and stability," Turkey's representative to the UN Burak Akcapar said in his turn.

"We expect Armenia to fulfil its promises, especially on the opening of the Zangezur corridor. Turkey has been supporting the peace process between the two countries from the very beginning and has therefore started the process of normalising relations with Armenia," he added.

China's Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Geng Shuang said that the dispute between Azerbaijan and Armenia should be resolved on the basis of norms and principles of international relations.

First Deputy Representative of the Russian Federation to the UN Dmitry Polyansky noted that "with the active mediation of the RPC, an agreement was reached on 20 September on the complete cessation of hostilities from 1 p.m. and the beginning of negotiations between representatives of the Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh and the central authorities of the Republic of Azerbaijan on 21 September." 

"We expect that the contacts between representatives of Baku and Stepanakert/Khankendi will be effective and will allow us to immediately launch measures to rectify the humanitarian crisis in the region and ensure stable life activity of the population of Karabakh. We will contribute to this in every possible way. A step-by-step road map for the integration of the Karabakh people into the legal framework of Azerbaijan with firm guarantees of their rights and security must be developed. We will actively support these processes through the RPC. The security and rights of the Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians are of key importance," said Dmitry Polyansky.

The discussions ended without adopting any document or even a statement of the presiding officer. -06В-