Humanitarian Crisis in Nagorno Karabakh
As delivered by Chargé Courtney Austrian
to the Permanent Council, Vienna
February 9, 2023
The ongoing obstruction of transit through the Lachin corridor is now entering its third month. I urge Azerbaijan and Russia to restore unhindered transit immediately. I also urge Azerbaijan to ensure uninterrupted gas and electricity supplies to the area.
Mr. Chair, I am deeply concerned about the humanitarian situation in Nagorno Karabakh. Tens of thousands of people are being forced to survive on dwindling supplies of basic food and medicines. This deliberate obstruction threatens to instigate a humanitarian disaster and derail the already fragile peace process. States have an obligation not to discriminate against members of ethnic minorities, including with regard to their safety and security.
As we’ve said before many times in this Permanent Council, the United States will continue to work with Azerbaijan and Armenia bilaterally, multilaterally through partners such as the European Union, and through international organizations like the OSCE to reach a comprehensive and sustainable settlement for this conflict.
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