3 April 2016
On Friday night, Azerbaijani forces launched a substantial offensive against the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh that resulted in numerous casualties. The Armenian General Benevolent Union strongly condemns the attack on the part of Azerbaijani forces and calls upon the governments of the European Union also to unambiguously condemn this new attack. The government of Azerbaijan should be left in no doubt that EU Member States would not remain passive, should the offensive be resumed. EU action might involve such measures as the imposition of trade sanctions, asset freezes and the cancellation of join projects, particularly oil infrastructure projects. 60% of Azerbaijan’s oil is exported to Europe.
The organization calls upon all nations, international institutions, humanitarian and peace-building organizations to make their voices heard in protest and condemnation at these attacks that risk not only to disrupt regional, but also international peace and security. With the continued escalation of violent conflict in Iraq, Syria and the South-East of Turkey, Europe can ill afford an additional war on its doorstep and must assert its interests in stability and peace in its immediate neighbourhood. It is therefore incumbent on the European Union and on each of its Member States to take a clear stand with respect to the recent attacks and to spell out the sanctions it will put in place if necessary.
Established in 1906, AGBU is the world’s largest non-profit Armenian organization. Headquartered in New York City, AGBU preserves and promotes the Armenian identity and heritage through educational, cultural and humanitarian programs, annually touching the lives of some 500,000 Armenians around the world. For more information about AGBU and its worldwide programs, please visit www.agbu.org.
AGBU Europe can provide more details and is available for comments.
Nicolas Tavitian, Brussels
Email: nicolas.tavitian@agbueurope.eu
Tel: + 32 495 77 08 67
Sargis Khandanyan, Yerevan
Email: sargis.khandanyan@agbueurope.eu
Tel: +374 60 722 203
