ArmInfo.  Below is a statement by Vice-President of the European Union Josep Borrell on the cultural and religious heritage in Nagorno-Karabakh.

"Madam President, Honourable Members, 

"The European Union has a very clear position regarding the key role  of cultural heritage in promoting peace, democracy and sustainable  development. It was only in June last year [21 June 2021] that the  Council approved conclusions welcoming the EU Concept on cultural  heritage in conflicts and crises calling for the protection and  safeguarding of cultural heritage during periods of conflict and  crises. 

"This has also been the position of the European Union with regard to  all cultural and religious heritage in the territories affected by  the conflict in and around Nagorno Karabakh. As you know, the issue  of cultural and religious heritage in the region has been contested  and sensitive since at least the beginning of the Nagorno Karabakh  conflict. The war in 2020 has further aggravated this situation.  Through public statements and direct discussions with the sides we  have repeatedly called for the protection of all religious and  cultural heritage in the region, particularly heritage sites affected  by conflict, without any differentiation based on ethnic or religious  grounds. Any attempts to destroy or desecrate heritage sites before,  during and after the hostilities, or attempts to alter their  identity, will be met with the strong condemnation of the European  Union. We have also been joined by the international community in  these calls. 

"It is important to have an objective and inclusive international  assessment of all religious and cultural heritage affected, or  potentially affected, by the conflict. For this reason, the EU  supports the initiative of a UNESCO technical assessment mission to  visit the area and has asked the sides to allow for such a visit to  take place and to fully cooperate with it. Steps taken towards such a  mission would also contribute to building confidence between the  sides, something the EU has been working towards, particularly with  the engagement of the President of the European Council, Charles  Michel, who visited both Armenia and Azerbaijan last year, held  frequent phone calls with the leaders, and brought them together for  two trilateral meetings.

"We will continue to insist with both parties on the need to fully  protect all religious and cultural heritage.  Key to this will be to  allow for an international assessment mission to take place, to  continue engaging on concrete steps to overcome conflict, to  cooperate on core issues and build an atmosphere of trust. 

Thank you."