The Dutch Weekblad Elsevier has published its interview with Ambassador of Armenia to the Netherlands Tigran Balayan. Armenian News-NEWS.am presents the interview below:

“Europe is shutting its eyes”

6 questions for the Ambassador of Armenia regarding the recent war with Azerbaijan

(1) The war ended in November, right?

Tigran Balayan: There are still over 120 Armenian prisoners of war in Azerbaijan. One of them said he had been beaten and forced to ‘admit’ that he had killed Azerbaijanis while participating in the first Karabakh war in the 1990s, but he wasn’t even born back then. The Azerbaijanis continue to commit heavy war crimes.”

(2) What do you mean?

Tigran Balayan: It is not only about the torture of prisoners of war, but also the desecration of churches and cemeteries. There are several pieces of evidence that Azerbaijani soldiers have beheaded Armenians, and the Azerbaijanis have posted videos and photos on social networks. With this, the Azerbaijani side is trying to present itself as an overriding force by waging a psychological war.

(3) According to the Armenian side, Turkey was also involved in the war.

Tigran Balayan: The Turkish government send jihadists from Syria to fight against Armenia. They were transported to Istanbul and Ankara via planes from the bordering regions of Syria, and from Istanbul and Ankara they were sent to Baku. There were more than 2,000 jihadists, 200 of which were killed. Erdogan openly declared the following: “We are going to end what our ancestors started.” Europe is shutting its eyes on what is happening.

(4) Why would Europe be silent?

Tigran Balayan: Some people say the reason why Europe was silent is because it receives natural gas and oil from Azerbaijan. Russia also supplies natural gas and oil to Europe, but this didn’t stop Europe from imposing sanctions on Russia for the alleged poisoning of Alexei Navalny.

(5) In this case, what can Europe do?

Tigran Balayan: Europe can impose sanctions against the commands of Azerbaijan and Turkey, as well as President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and his wife. Aliyev’s wife is the Vice-President of Azerbaijan and UNESCO Ambassador. Depriving her of the opportunity to make purchases in the boutiques in Paris and Milan would have been a powerful signal.

(6) What can the Netherlands do?

Tigran Balayan: Minister of Foreign Affairs Stef Blok says the alleged war crimes need to be investigated. Is it really necessary to investigate to see whether an Armenian really died after being beheaded? Why doesn’t the Netherlands play a leading role? The Netherlands is a champion in the protection of human rights in the world, right?”