At the launch ceremony in Yerevan of the Council of Europe’s 2023-2026 Action Plan for Armenia, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan stressed in his remarks that the risk of Azerbaijan provoking new tensions remains high.
“We live in a region full of numerous security threats. For more than two months, as a result of the blockade of the Lachin corridor by Azerbaijan, the humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh has continued,” Mirzoyan said.
He stressed that Azerbaijan continues to hold Armenian prisoners of war and civilians hostage, there are many missing persons, and the fate of those forcibly disappeared remains unexplained. As a result of the attacks launched in May and November 2021, as well as September 2022, Armenia’s sovereign territories have come under Azerbaijani occupation. “And the risk of Azerbaijan provoking a new escalation continues to remain high,” Mirzoyan said.
Council of Europe Deputy Secretary General Bjørn Berge said in his remarks that the Council highly appreciates the cooperation with Armenia and the progress achieved in a number of areas. The new Council of Europe Action Plan for Armenia expands the areas of cooperation with Armenia, encompassing the protection of labour rights, the environment, local self-government reforms, and others.
“Overall, the aim of the Action Plan is to improve the lives of the citizens, the residents of this wonderful country. The commitment shown by the Armenian authorities and the Council of Europe’s support and cooperation are essential. Great achievements have been recorded in the country recently, but together we can achieve more,” he said.
