EU pushes Azerbaijan to keep Lachin corridor open and honor ICJ orders

The European Union has pressed Azerbaijan to follow the orders laid out by the International Court of Justice and to keep the Lachin corridor open for unhindered movement. A formal statement from EU foreign policy services reinforces the bloc’s commitment to ensuring safe transit along the route that connects Armenia with Nagorno Karabakh. The message makes a clear demand: freedom of movement through the Lachin corridor must be secured in line with the tripartite declaration of November 9, 2020. The EU also emphasizes the necessity of maintaining uninterrupted gas and electricity supplies to Nagorno Karabakh, framing energy security as a humanitarian priority for residents in the region. In this context, concerns raised by Azerbaijan about the corridor should be addressed through constructive dialogue rather than unilateral actions. The EU’s stance underscores a policy of stabilizing everyday life for civilians while supporting regional dialogue and adherence to agreed commitments that enable reliable, cross border access and essential service provision. The focus remains on preventing disruption to essential services and ensuring that residents can move safely and receive necessary resources. EU officials reiterate that any operational issues must be resolved through formal mechanisms and ongoing diplomacy, with a shared goal of preserving humanitarian access and regional stability. This approach aligns with broader EU objectives to promote peace, protect civilian welfare, and uphold international commitments in the South Caucasus region. Such a framework is presented as indispensable for long term security and resilience, guaranteeing that the Lachin corridor remains a corridor of connectivity rather than a point of contention. The EU continues to monitor the situation closely and to encourage all parties to live up to their obligations and to engage in direct, good faith talks that can sustain reliable energy supply and safe movement for all affected communities. (EU foreign policy services)