2023-08-15 20:09:32
– No European observers injured after shootings at the border
The European Union observation mission in Armenia says that one of its patrols was present during clashes on Tuesday. Azerbaijan denies.
Posted today at 10:09 p.m.
Armenia, which first reported the incident on Tuesday, said Azerbaijani soldiers opened fire on European observers (illustration image).
AFP/Karen MINASYAN
The European Union Observer Mission in Armenia (EUMA) on Tuesday confirmed its presence during a “shooting incident” on the border with Azerbaijan, adding that no observers had been injured.
“We can confirm that an EUMA patrol was present during a shooting incident in our area of responsibility. No EUMA personnel were injured,” the mission said on X, formerly Twitter.
Armenia, which first reported the incident on Tuesday, said Azerbaijani soldiers opened fire on European observers.
“Azerbaijani Armed Forces units fired” around noon “with firearms at the observers who were patrolling the vicinity of Verin Shorzha (east), as well as at their vehicle,” the Armenian Defense Ministry said on Telegram. .
Azerbaijan denies
Soon after, Azerbaijan called these claims “false”.
“The time of visits by EU observers (…) is presented to the Azerbaijani side in advance,” the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry explained on Telegram. “It is therefore impossible for such a situation to occur.”
With around 100 members and launched in February, the EU Civilian Mission in Armenia (EUMA) is an observation mission on the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
These two former Soviet republics of the Caucasus have been in conflict for more than thirty years around the disputed territory of Nagorny Karabakh, an Azerbaijani enclave mainly populated by Armenians.
On Monday, Azerbaijan accused Armenia of reinforcing its troops along the border in preparation for a military provocation, a claim denied by Yerevan.
Tensions between the two sides have escalated in recent days, with Yerevan once again accusing Baku of blocking traffic in the Lachin corridor.
The humanitarian situation is deteriorating
This road is the only land link connecting Armenia to Nagorny Karabakh, where the humanitarian situation is deteriorating according to Yerevan and NGOs.
On Tuesday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov called on Azerbaijan to unblock it.
“Particular emphasis was placed on the need for the practical implementation of measures (…) aimed at the rapid de-escalation of the situation around Nagorny Karabakh, including the unblocking of humanitarian routes, including the Lachin corridor”, he told his Azerbaijani counterpart, Djeyhoun Bairamov, during a telephone interview, according to a press release from his services.
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