Permanent Representative of the EU Delegation to the OSCE Rasa Osrauskaite has once again voiced Brussels' appeal to the Azerbaijani authorities to ensure free movement along the Lachin corridor. In particular, in response to an appeal by Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan, she noted:

"The European Union warmly welcomes Foreign Minister Mirzoyan to the Permanent Council.

Since your last visit to Vienna in January 2023, we have witnessed comprehensive and productive negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan, thanks to the active engagement of the European Union and the complementary efforts of the United States, and despite a worrying rise in tensions on the ground over the past few months.

Following the latest trilateral meeting in Brussels last week with Prime Minister Pashinian and President Aliyev, European Council President Michel called on the two leaders to take further bold steps to ensure decisive and irreversible progress towards normalization of relations. In particular, the EU expects the Azerbaijani side to take concrete steps to provide clear guarantees for the rights and security of the Armenian population in Nagorno-Karabakh. All outstanding issues should be resolved through negotiations, without the use or threat of force.

The EU has repeatedly called on the Azerbaijani authorities to fully ensure the restoration of the movement of goods and people along the Lachin corridor in accordance with the February and July 2023 ICJ rulings, as well as unrestricted energy supplies. Increased restrictions on such freedom of movement are of significant concern to the local population. The EU is alarmed by the humanitarian consequences of shortages of food, medicine and other essential goods as a result of the current restrictions. The ban by the Azerbaijani authorities on the transportation of ICRC supplies to and from the region is worrying. The current situation is not sustainable and creates tensions that run counter to much-needed confidence-building efforts.”