It was Armenia that was attacked today, its territory was invaded, civil infrastructures were destroyed, Toivo Klaar, EU's special representative for the crisis in the South Caucasus and Georgia, announced at the meeting of the European Parliament's defense committee.
Toivo Klaar (EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the Crisis in Georgia) - On September 13 and 14, serious clashes took place. It was the most serious escalation since the 2020 ceasefire. These developments have attracted the attention of the international community, which is making efforts to ensure that hostilities do not resume, that stability is established and that political negotiations continue.
KLAAR HAS CALLED A COMPREHENSIVE INVESTIGATION
Klaar referred to the videos of war crimes circulating on the Internet, called for a comprehensive investigation, and at the same time expressed hope that the Azerbaijani authorities will seriously investigate the videos of the shooting of Armenian prisoners of war.
Toivo Klaar - It is impossible to build peace on crimes that go unpunished. Other videos from an earlier period have also surfaced and should be examined as well. It should be noted that thousands of people, both Azerbaijanis and Armenians, have gone missing since the 1990s. This issue should also be resolved. We call on the parties to continue the discussions on the peace agreement, because there is no alternative.
EU SHOULD HELP ACHIEVE A JUST PEACE: KLAAR
The EU's special representative for the South Caucasus has expressed concern: the situation is extremely dangerous. He emphasized that the EU should help Armenia and Azerbaijan to overcome the situation and achieve a fair peace, which both peoples will also consider fair.
Toivo Klaar - Many issues still need to be resolved, it is not easy. The EU needs to stay involved because, frankly, there aren't that many international actors right now that can do what we can. We also emphasize coordinating efforts with the United States. As for Russia. There are certain channels of communication with Moscow, but the war in Ukraine has made working with Russia very difficult.
As for the unblocking of communications, Klaar emphasized that road and rail communications between Nakhichevan and the rest of Azerbaijan can be established only when it is clear to everyone that these roads are part of the sovereign territory of Armenia. According to him, this issue was agreed in Brussels on May 22.
KOVACHEV CONSIDERS THE QUESTION OF REPATRIATION OF POWS IMPORTANT
After the opening speech, a number of members of the European Parliament addressed Klaar and criticized Azerbaijan's actions against Armenia. In particular, Andrey Kovachev, the main rapporteur on the issue of Armenia, informed that they are developing a report on the situation in the region together with the main rapporteur on the issue of Azerbaijan, Zhelyana Zovko, adding that he may visit Armenia next week.
Andrey Kovachev (Member of the European Parliament) - I have been following all this for about 15 years. We had great hopes and also great disappointments. I still believe in the Minsk Group. We must try to establish peace between the two peoples. The young generation should live in that region; they need peace. The issue of prisoners of war is also important. They should be repatriated.
Klaar responded to Kovachev's remarks.
Toivo Klaar - The Minsk Group continues to exist legally. It is true that Azerbaijan does not consider this format viable, but the important thing is that the international community helps Armenia and Azerbaijan to move towards peace.
EU MUST HAVE A LONG-TERM PROGRAM. EUROPEAN PARLIAMENTARIAN
Another member of the European Parliament, Kern Melchior, also claimed that the EU has not made enough efforts to resolve the conflict in the past 30 years.
Kern Melchior (Member of the European Parliament) - We should have a longer-term plan in the region, longer than deploying a civilian mission fir two months on the Armenia-Azerbaijan border. We also need to ensure a complete balance of Russian forces and European efforts in the region.
KLAAR HIGHLIGHTS THE NEED TO SETTLE THE NK ISSUE
The protection of cultural and religious heritage was also discussed at the session of the European Parliament's defense committee. Toivo Klaar emphasized the importance of preserving historical objects and preventing further destruction.
Toivo Klaar - We have seen how the Armenian cultural heritage is being destroyed in Nakhichevan. This should not have happened; it cannot be justified. Azerbaijani graves were also destroyed, but this does not give the right to destroy the Armenian heritage.
Klaar specially emphasized the need to settle the Karabakh issue, emphasized that the rights and security of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) Armenians must be ensured.
