During the plenary session of the winter session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) on January 26, the discussion on the blockade of the Lachin Corridor took place. All speaking delegates from France, Sweden, Cyprus, Switzerland, Finland, and other countries declare that Lachine Corridor must be opened urgently. Representatives from all PACE political groups stated in their speeches that the Lachin Corridor is closed and called for it to be opened urgently.
The delegate representing Sweden, Boriana Åberg, announced: “This is not a question of territorial integrity. This is a question about human rights and freedom of speech. People do not have gas, electricity, or food. Thousands of people live in darkness in Nagorno-Karabakh. It is also information darkness. The children are deprived of the right to education; families are separated.”
He noted that Azerbaijan continues to disregard the international community’s calls and does not fulfill its commitments. The deputy mentioned: “Specific and urgent steps should be taken so that Azerbaijan fulfills its commitments.”
Bertrand Buis, the MP representing France, announced that the Lachine road is the road of life for the people of Nagorno-Karabakh. It should be opened urgently. “This is the only road connecting Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia. Life in this besieged enclave has become impossible for the people of Nagorno-Karabakh. We must remember that our region is a community whose values are human rights, democracy, and the rule of law.”
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He also stated that Azerbaijan did not open the Lachin Corridor and did not return the imprisoned persons held in Azerbaijan to Armenia. A proposal was made by the Finnish delegate Kimmo Kiljunen to go to the region and conduct an international investigation. He said that he was ready to go to the South Caucasus.
Tatev Harutyunyan
Strasbourg
