There Is No Opportunity for Free and Safe Movement in the Lachin Corridor: Paul Gavan

During the summer session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), the rapporteur on the topic of "Ensuring Free and Safe Access through the Lachin Corridor," Paul Gavan, began his speech by stating that he is addressing not the relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan, but rather the issue of the blockade of the Lachin Corridor.

He noted that he visited Armenia as part of an investigation into the situation in the Lachin Corridor, but did not receive an invitation from Azerbaijan. Furthermore, he mentioned that his entry into the Lachin Corridor was denied, which, according to the PACE member, contradicts Azerbaijan's claims that there are no obstacles to entering the Lachin Corridor.

“The conclusion I made is that there is neither free nor safe movement in the Lachin Corridor,” said Gavan, adding that if humanitarian aid is being delivered to Artsakh by the Red Cross, what kind of free entry is being discussed?

The PACE member addressed the use of hate speech and threats by the highest levels of Azerbaijan's leadership, providing clear examples and adding that such rhetoric is entirely unacceptable. He stressed the need to adhere to the provisions of the trilateral statements and expressed his opinion that a fact-finding mission should be sent to Nagorno-Karabakh.

He also called on Armenia and Azerbaijan to join the European Council documents on the protection of minority rights.