The Special Statement by Emin Yeritsyan, Head of the Armenian delegation to the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, Vice-President of the Congress, during the Congress Bureau meeting of September 28, 2020

The Special Statement by Emin Yeritsyan, Head of the Armenian delegation to the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, Vice-President of the Congress, during the Congress Bureau meeting of September 28, 2020

28.09.2020

Dear Mr. President, 

Dear Colleagues,

In the early morning of September 27, Azerbaijan, violating the ceasefire regime, initiated a large-scale air and artillery aggressive attack along the entire Line of Contact that has been causing human losses and significant damage to the civilian population of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh). 

Vardenis community of Gegharkunik marz (region) of the Republic of Armenia also came under the large-caliber artillery shelling of Azerbaijan. As a result of Azerbaijan's aggressive actions, there are dozens of victims, including a child and hundreds of wounded.

Civil infrastructures, including schools and houses, have come under the indiscriminate large-caliber shelling of Azerbaijan, posing a real threat to the lives and health of women, children, and civilians.

Due to the immediate threat to the security of the population of the Republic of Armenia caused by this large-scale aggression, on the same day, September 27, the Government of the Republic of Armenia and then the Parliament declared martial law in Armenia. Thus, since yesterday, the local authorities of Armenia have been operating under the norms established by the martial law regime.

Military aggression by Azerbaijan is a clear manifestation of gross human rights violations that directly violate the Geneva Convention and norms of customary international humanitarian law.

This attack is unprecedented in its scale. It is unprecedented also in that it takes place with the direct military-political involvement and support of Turkey, another member-state of the Council of Europe. The Turkish Armed Forces, transferred to Azerbaijan under the name of military exercises are directly involved in hostilities, including the use of F-16 Turkish fighter aircrafts.

There is also a reliable data that several thousands of mercenaries from Syria have been transferred to Azerbaijan through Turkey. They are taking part in this aggression.

All this proves that this attack was beforehand and in detail planned by Azerbaijan and Turkey.

Thus, because of this military adventure, not only Armenia but also Europe and the entire international community will have to respond to the challenge of the conflict transforming into a regional and global one.

On behalf of the Armenian delegation, I call on the Council of Europe and other interested international organizations to take immediate and effective measures to end the Turkish-Azerbaijani aggression and restore regional stability.

Secretary-General of the Council of Europe Marija Pejčinović Burić has already made a statement.

We expect the intervention of the Council of Europe and the international community to be continuous, influential, and active.

In upcoming days, the Armenian delegation to the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe will issue a special announcement among the national delegations in Congress.

 

 

 


NEWS

Country-specific training on “Establishment of Municipal Energy Management System (EnMS) and Appointment of Energy Managers” was held in Yerevan
Country-specific training on “Establishment of Municipal Energy Management System (EnMS) and Appointment of Energy Managers” was held in Yerevan

12:37

07 12 2023

Country-specific training on “Establishment of Municipal Energy Management System (EnMS)...

Violence against local and regional elected representatives: a threat to our democracies
Violence against local and regional elected representatives: a threat to our democracies

10:04

01 11 2023

An extremely unpleasant experience for those on the receiving end, verbal abuse and physical...

Elections to the Council of Elders of Yerevan: Congress welcomes successful efforts to ensure a well-administered and transparent ballot
Elections to the Council of Elders of Yerevan: Congress welcomes successful efforts to ensure a well-administered and transparent ballot

13:26

30 10 2023

The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe adopted a  report...

Congress adopts Declaration on the humanitarian situation in Karabakh and neighbouring cities and regions
Congress adopts Declaration on the humanitarian situation in Karabakh and neighbouring cities and regions

19:09

26 10 2023

Congress expresses deep concern over humanitarian situation in Karabakh and neighbouring cities...

The Congress elects its new President
The Congress elects its new President

16:11

24 10 2023

The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Council of Europe has renewed its presidency...

45th Congress session will be held in Strasbourg
45th Congress session will be held in Strasbourg

23:47

22 10 2023

The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe will hold its  45...