“Main directions” of the strategic partnership between Georgia and the United Kingdom, and prospects for future cooperation were discussed on Wednesday in a meeting between Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili and a British Parliamentary delegation led by Jonathan Djanogly, the Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Georgia in the British legislative body.
In his comments at the meeting, Garibashvili noted the two countries were cooperating “fruitfully” in bilateral and multilateral formats, the Government Administration said. The Government head stressed the visit of the delegation was “another clear proof” of the existing strategic partnership.
The meeting also reviewed the current economic situation in Georgia, with Garibashvili providing information to the delegation about the “positive trends” of economic growth.
The officials also highlighted the need to “further strengthen” the trade and economic cooperation between the two states.
The meeting also focused on the security environment and challenges in the Black Sea region and the world, with the Georgian official noting the close security cooperation between the UK and Georgia was “of utmost importance”.
Garibashvili thanked Djanogly for his “firm and unwavering” support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and for the non-recognition policy of the Russian-occupied territories of the country.
The European Council (EC) has again called on Azerbaijan to reopen the Lachin Corridor given the “rapidly humanitarian crisis on the ground.”
A statement today released by EC President Charles Michel’s spokesperson notes that Michel and Toivo Klaar, EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus, have prioritized a resolution of the humanitarian situation of Karabakh Armenians.
Michel, according to the statement, “has proposed a step-by-step approach which would reflect a sequencing in the full-fledged operation of the Lachin Corridor and the opening of the Ağdam route.”
Artsakh Armenians and the local government have rejected any humanitarian aid shipment via Aghdam, describing such efforts by Baku as a “ploy” to deviate international attention from the Lachin Corridor issue.
The statement says the EU has also stressed the need for Baku to provide clarity to Karabakh Armenians in terms of procedures for their movements through Lachin corridor to and from Armenia.
It goes on to say dialog between Baku and the former Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast” is essential to resolve the conflict and “the rights and security of Karabakh Armenians must be guaranteed and discussions on specific modalities should start as soon as possible.”
Given that the EC regards Karabakh as a part of Azerbaijan, the EC is most likely talking about cultural/minority rights.
“Dialogue between Baku and representatives of Armenians living in twill be essential in this regard. the statement reads.
Describing today’s fighting along the Armenian-Azerbaijani border as an “escalation”, the statement says these efforts are aimed at ensuring the irreversible normalization of relations between Baku and Yerevan for the benefit of all populations on the ground.
“It is now time for courageous compromise solutions, also in light of today’s escalation,” the statement reads.
Klaar and Michel’s team, according to the statement have been in frequent contact with Baku, Yerevan and representatives of Karabakh Armenians to work out a solution for unblocking access.
“In parallel, exchanges have also focused on restoring electricity and gas supplies to Karabakh Armenians as soon as possible,” the statement reads.
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Back Restore free movement along Lachin Corridor and ensure rapid and unimpeded delivery of humanitarian assistance to Nagorno-Karabakh
COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS
STRASBOURG
28 August 2023
STRASBOURG
28 August 2023
“I remain seriously concerned about the humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh and the human rights of its population following the blocking of the road running through the Lachin Corridor since December 2022. I reiterate the call I made at that time to restore free movement along that road” said Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović.
“Despite my calls and those of numerous other international stakeholders, the humanitarian and human rights situation in the area has reportedly further deteriorated, affecting particularly the most vulnerable, due to the prolonged disruption in the movement of people and access to food supplies and urgent medical care. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), which is for the moment the only international humanitarian organisation operating across the Lachin Corridor, indicated that the population was facing a lack of life-saving medication and essentials.
The relevant stakeholders should immediately find a solution to avoid any further deterioration of the very dangerous situation the local population is facing and guarantee safe and free passage to those providing humanitarian assistance and those ensuring human rights protection. As indicated in my 2021 Memorandum, efforts should be made by Armenia and Azerbaijan to move forward on the path towards reconciliation and ensure lasting peace for all people.
I confirm my commitment and readiness to engage with all the relevant interlocutors and to travel to Nagorno Karabakh to assist in overcoming the existing human rights challenges.”
2023-08-28T11:41:00