Economy 22 September 2023, 12:22pm

Hungary blocks EU-27 statement condemning Azerbaijan

Portfolio

Following Azerbaijan's attack on Tuesday on predominantly Armenian Nagorno-Karabakh, it was expected that the European Union would publicly condemn the action, but it is a somewhat surprising turn of events that Hungary, which has close relations with Baku, vetoes the initiative.

Hungary has blocked the statement of the European Union member states, which condemns Azerbaijan's military aggression against Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh). Rikard Jozwiak, Europe editor for RFE/RL, wrote about this on X, former Twitter, citing European officials, several smaller news portals reported.

According to the information available, the veto was issued because it contained "anti-Azeri" allegations, but this has not been confirmed by an independent source as of the time of publishing this article.

Frankly, having read EU High Representative Josep Borrell's statement (see below), we haven't spotted anything "anti-Azeri".

Azerbaijan essentially pacified the region, which under international law belongs to it but is practically controlled by local Armenians, in virtually a day on Tuesday, while Armenia did not intervene in what Baku called a "counter-terrorist operation", during which the deputy commander of the Russian peacekeepers was killed.

The European Union condemns the military operation by Azerbaijan against the Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh and deplores the casualties and loss of life caused by this escalation,

Borrell said in the statement Budapest refused to stand by.

The EU expects an "immediate and complete cessation of hostilities, and for the ceasefire to be respected," he added, calling on Azerbaijan "to allow immediate and unimpeded humanitarian access to the population in need, including through a full re-opening of the Lachin corridor."

He also calls on the parties to "engage in a comprehensive and transparent dialogue."

"Azerbaijan bears the responsibility to ensure the rights and security of the Karabakh Armenians, including their right to live in their homes without intimidation and discrimination.

Forced displacement of the civilian population through military or other means will be met with a strong response by the EU,

said Borrell, adding that

the EU stands ready to take appropriate actions in the event of a further deterioration of the situation.

The EU "reiterates its support to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of both Azerbaijan and Armenia," said Borrell, calling on Azerbaijan to "reaffirm its unequivocal commitment to the territorial integrity of Armenia, in line with the 1991 Almaty Declaration."

The EU also wants talks on all pending issues to be resumed between the parties, in view of the conclusion of the peace treaty.