Friday, 6 October 2023
Issues of assessing the urgent needs and supporting our compatriots forcibly displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh discussed with the EU Commissioner for Crisis Management
The delegation led by European Union Crisis Management Commissioner Janez Lenarčič is in Armenia. Deputy Prime Minister, Coordinator of "Humanitarian Center" Tigran Khachatryan and Janez Lenarčič issued statements.
Tigran Khachatryan noted. "A number of productive working discussions took place with the delegation. We talked with the commissioner about the main problems that have emerged in relation to the humanitarian assistance of forcibly displaced persons from Nagorno Karabakh resulted by continuous use of force by Azerbaijan and the implementation of anti-Armenian policy.
We talked about assessing the urgent needs of more than 100,000 of our compatriots who were displaced and found refuge in Armenia, including issues of health, social, psychological, and financial support.
I would like to note that the Government of the Republic of Armenia highly appreciates the quick response that the European Union and its member states have shown and continue to show in addressing the priority needs of our displaced compatriots.
We emphasized the issues of coordinating the efforts of the Government of the Republic of Armenia and the European Union regarding large-scale humanitarian activities, forming a common platform for cooperation in directing the received humanitarian aid to the needs of forcibly displaced people, and increasing the effectiveness of our actions in this format.
As a priority, we singled out the importance of assessing the short-term, medium-term and long-term needs of our compatriots. It is the basis that should make it possible to effectively solve the problems of forcibly displaced people and speed up the process of returning our compatriots to a normal life by using the available humanitarian support in the correct way.
During the discussion, we came to an agreement that the European Union will continue to provide increased support in all necessary directions, taking into account the great experience it has in crisis management”.
Janez Lenarčič said, "I came to Armenia to show the full solidarity of the European Union to Armenia, the Armenian people and, in particular, the people displaced from Karabakh. As you know, the European Union has strongly condemned the latest military operation of the Azerbaijani forces against the Armenian population of Karabakh. As you know, this military operation led to the displacement of more than 100 thousand people to Armenia. I assure Armenia and the Armenian people that they can count on the full support of the European Union in this difficult situation.
Immediately after the last military operation of the Azerbaijani forces against the population of Karabakh, the European Union arrived there. We very quickly mobilized more than 5 million euros in humanitarian aid, doubled it a few days later, and as of today have provided more than 10 million euros in humanitarian aid, primarily to help people who have been displaced from Karabakh. In addition, we have mobilized the European Union's stock of humanitarian aid supplies, which will be sent to Armenia in the next few hours for people in need of humanitarian assistance. Here I would like to emphasize the very quick and efficient management of the situation by the Armenian authorities at all levels, from the level of the government to the level of local self-government. I would also like to welcome the generosity of people, first of all, those who offered their own homes to accommodate displaced people from Karabakh. We have also activated the EU civil protection mechanism, encouraged EU member states and other members of this structure to respond to the situation. 13 countries have already responded to Armenia's request for support. Many countries have already expressed their willingness and offered support, in particular, we are talking about food, medicine, and hygiene items. It is very important that the medicine is already being provided to the hospitals where people injured in the explosion of the fuel depot are being treated. I would like to mention those countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, France, Germany, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Poland, Romania, Spain, Sweden and Norway. These are the countries that have shown complete solidarity towards Armenia.
In conclusion, I would like to note that after the end of this emergency situation, we will continue our support in the medium and long term. And finally, I would like to reaffirm the tireless support of the European Union to the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Armenia."
