Call of Co-rapporteurs of PACE to Azerbaijan

The co-rapporteurs of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) have once again called for the restoration of free movement through the Lachin corridor and for all disputes to be resolved peacefully.

PACE monitoring co-rapporteurs Ian Liddell-Grainger (United Kingdom) and Lis Christophersen (Norway), along with Armenian monitoring co-rapporteurs Kimmo Kiljunen (Finland) and Boriana Aberg (Sweden), issued a statement emphasizing the need for action.

“We reaffirm our call made on December 16, 2022, to restore free movement through the Lachin corridor, and remind of the European Court of Human Rights’ decision from December 21, 2022, regarding Article 39 of the Court's Rules, as well as the International Court of Justice’s order from February 22, 2023. The latter states that ‘Azerbaijan must take all measures at its disposal to ensure unimpeded movement of persons, vehicles, and cargo in both directions along the Lachin corridor,’” the statement reads.

It was also noted that Armenia plans to appeal to the International Court of Justice regarding the installation of a checkpoint along the Lachin corridor on April 23.

PACE rapporteur Paul Gavan (Ireland) has also attempted to enter the Lachin corridor to familiarize himself with the situation on the ground.

“We urge Azerbaijan and Armenia to refrain from any unilateral actions that could complicate the ongoing negotiations, which are being supported at the highest level by the EU, alongside the presence of the EU mission in Armenia. We call for the activation of negotiations on border issues and for all disputes to be resolved peacefully,” the co-rapporteurs stated.