mission
Baerbock calls for observers to be admitted to Nagorno-Karabakh
Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Alliance 90/The Greens) looks tensely at the Nagorno-Karabakh region. photo
© Kay Nietfeld/dpa
Last week, Azerbaijan attacked the area, which is populated primarily by Armenians. The situation is tense and more than 42,000 people have fled. Foreign Minister Baerbock is concerned.
“We now need transparency and the eyes and ears of the international community on site.” Baerbock announced that he would increase funding for the International Committee of the Red Cross from two to five million euros.
Germany will work with its partners to send observers as quickly as possible. “It would be a sign of trust that Azerbaijan is serious about its commitments to the security and well-being of the people in Nagorno-Karabakh if it allowed international observers,” said Baerbock.
The USA is also calling for an observer mission
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken also called on Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in a telephone call to allow an international observer mission. A Foreign Ministry spokesman said afterwards that Aliyev would accept a mission.
The US expected him to stick to this and the promise not to take any further military action. Blinken reportedly appealed to Aliyev to allow unhindered humanitarian access, ensure the safety of Karabakh residents and protect their rights.
Last week, Azerbaijan attacked the area on Azerbaijani territory that was primarily populated by Armenians and brought it under military control. The humanitarian situation was already extremely tense because Azerbaijan had blocked an important access road for supplies to Nagorno-Karabakh.
More than 42,000 people fled
According to official Armenian information, more than 42,000 people have now fled to Armenia from the Caucasian conflict region of Nagorno-Karabakh, which was recaptured by Azerbaijan. This was announced by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s press secretary, Naseli Bagdasaryan. A reception camp has been set up in the town of Kornidzor. The Armenian government has promised to provide accommodation for all refugees.