Calls for Unconditional Release of All Armenian POWs and Karabakh Political Leaders
OTTAWA — Canada supports a negotiated political solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh issue, Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada, stated on the anniversary of Azerbaijan’s military attack on Nagorno-Karabakh.
“Last week marked one year since Azerbaijan launched its military operation in Nagorno-Karabakh, a region populated by ethnic Armenians for centuries,” she said.
“The consequences of this operation were significant: more than 100,000 civilians, including 30,000 children, were forcibly displaced to Armenia as a result of this military operation, causing a rapid increase in humanitarian needs in the country,” the Minister noted.
Joly also highlighted that “the unjustified military operation by Azerbaijan followed a nine-month blockade of humanitarian goods to the Lachin corridor, in violation of the International Court of Justice’s provisional measures orders.”
“Canada stands in solidarity with the people affected by this crisis and is grateful to Armenia for opening its doors. That is why, in 2023, we dedicated more than $3.9 million in humanitarian assistance to address urgent needs stemming from the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh,” she added.
“Canada continues to call for and support meaningful negotiations toward a comprehensive peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan, along with the continuation of dialogue and confidence-building measures between the parties for a just and durable peace for the people of this region,” Joly emphasized.
“Canada has repeatedly called for the unconditional release of all Armenian prisoners of war from the 2020 Karabakh war. We also continue to urge the release of all arbitrarily detained ethnic Armenians from Azerbaijan,” she stressed.
“Canada supports a negotiated political solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh issue and promotes the principles of non-use of force, respect for territorial integrity, and the right to self-determination in the negotiation of a just and durable peace for the people of this region. This should include the safe and dignified return of Armenian civilians, guarantees for the protection of human rights and livelihoods, and the preservation of Armenian cultural and historical sites in the territory,” she concluded.
