The European Friends of Armenia are extremely disappointed by the statement issued by the Chair of the European Parliament’s South Caucasus Delegation on the construction of a new highway between Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh, and
As the organization said in a written statement, statement records an “abrupt departure from the long established precedent that has guided official statements of the delegation.”
“This formula recognizes a reasonable compromise based on the Helsinki Final Act principles of the Non-Use of Force, Territorial Integrity, and the Equal Rights and Self-Determination of Peoples. Whilst the 10th June statement referred to its support for the 2009 Basic Principles, ultimately it was worded to the effect that it suggested an outcome based only on the principles of Territorial Integrity,” the statement said in part.
It notes that the content of the statement has not only caused deep offence to the European Parliament’s Armenian counterparts in the Parliamentary Partnership Committee and beyond but also served as the basis for media disinformation campaigns, which are ultimately damaging to the peace process.
“On the wider issue of highway construction, we take this opportunity to note that the current routes between Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh are extremely limited and it is a natural expectation, indeed a human right, for those living in Nagorno Karabakh to have adequate means of transit. This is particularly important given that it is landlocked and without a civilian airport. The Armenian border remains the only way in and out,” said the statement.
