Sending an International Fact-Finding Mission to Artsakh and the Lachin Corridor is Essential: Pashinyan

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan delivered a speech at the 4th Council of Europe summit taking place in Reykjavik, Iceland. He particularly noted:

“We have seen with our own experience that war is the greatest threat to democracy. The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict has long been used as a justification for the lack of democracy in Armenia. On October 6, 2022, with the support of French President Macron and European Council President Michel, we reached an agreement with the President of Azerbaijan to regulate relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan based on the 1991 Alma-Ata Declaration, according to which the administrative borders of Soviet Armenia and Soviet Azerbaijan become state borders.

Three days ago, with the mediation of the President of the European Council, we took another step forward, emphasizing that Armenia recognizes Azerbaijan's territory of 86.6 thousand square kilometers, and Azerbaijan recognizes Armenia's territory of 29.8 thousand square kilometers.

However, due to the illegal closure of the Lachin Corridor, the Armenians of Artsakh have been under blockade for 5 months and are living in humanitarian crisis conditions. Sending an international fact-finding mission to Artsakh and the Lachin Corridor is essential. Additionally, the launch of negotiations between Baku and Stepanakert under international auspices is vital for ensuring the security and rights of the Armenian population of Artsakh. By addressing these issues, the European Council will support the establishment of democracy and stability in the South Caucasus.”