Azerbaijan’s latest offensive against Nagorno-Karabakh on 19 September saw Baku regain military control of the long-disputed region and has resulted in a mass exodus of ethnic Armenians from their homes. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has also warned of ethnic cleansing in the area, despite Azeri public reassurances that any ethnic Armenians choosing to stay in Nagorno-Karabakh will be treated as equal citizens of Azerbaijan. Parliament debates the dire situation in Nagorno-Karabakh, following Azerbaijan’s recent military seizure of the mountainous South Caucasus enclave.

Strasbourg

plenary session

EU - Azerbaijan (T)

EU - Armenia (T)

McALLISTER, David (EPP, DE)

LOISEAU, Nathalie (Renew, FR)

Situation in Nagorno-Karabakh after Azerbaijan's attack: extracts from the debate

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Pascual Ignacio NAVARRO R&#205;OS, Spanish Secretary of State for the European Union, There was a military operation in Nagorno-Karabakh carried out by Azerbaijan, and the EU condemned the action. And what had happened to the inhabitants because of the scale of the conflict.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Pascual Ignacio NAVARRO R&Iacute;OS, Spanish Secretary of State for the European Union, Because of this, the EU has asked Azerbaijan to provide a full access to the civil population as needed and to keep the Lateran Corridor open. The EU has increased its humanitarian aid by &euro;5 million to aid in this situation, and we have also asked Azerbaijan to ensure that there is a proper and open dialogue with Armenia on the situation.

SOUNDBITE (English), Stella KYRIAKIDES, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, As of this weekend, more than 100,000 Karabakh Armenians have left their homes and sought refuge in Armenia. It remains unclear how many will remain in the current Karabakh. The EU expects Azerbaijan to address the needs of Karabakh Armenians that remain under territory of Azerbaijan and provide them with the necessary humanitarian assistance and security.

SOUNDBITE (English), Stella KYRIAKIDES, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, We are working closely with the government agencies of both Azerbaijan and Armenia, as well as with our local partners, so that the basic needs of Karabakh Armenians in both countries are covered, including food, hygiene items and sorts of terms shelter there after the financial assistance, housing and socio economic assistance has to be provided.

SOUNDBITE (English), Rasa JUKNEVIČIENĖ (EPP, LT), Armenians also must learn to live in a new reality. Many in Armenia already realise that relying on imperial Russia was a strategic and painful mistake. I therefore call on all responsible political forces in Armenia to find the strength, and instead of fighting among themselves to start a debate on the future of Armenia.

SOUNDBITE (Estonian), Marina KALJURAND (S&amp;D, EE), The EU should stand behind its core values international law and rules based international order the High Representative promised a strong response. And colleagues, we have leverage. The response should include sanctioning or responsible Azerbaijani authorities. Halt of negotiations on a new EU, Azerbaijan Agreement. Halt the Visa Facilitation Agreement and termination of the gas deal.

SOUNDBITE (English), Nathalie LOISEAU (Renew, FR), There is another disaster on the horizon. Azerbaijan and Turkey have not said that they won't deny the authority of Armenia today. Europe has remained passive and has made incorrect calculations. You know, we can't allow this to happen on the pretext that we need gas. Does that remind you of anything? Yes. Ukraine. We can't repeat the mistakes of the past. We have to save our honour and save Armenia.

SOUNDBITE (German), Sergey LAGODINSKY (Greens/EFA, DE), When Azerbaijan says that Nagorno-Karabakh is going to be integrated into a multinational lesson by John. We cannot believe that. We cannot believe the promises they make. What we're seeing is a culture being extinguished, ethnic cleansing