During the question-and-answer session in the EU Parliament, the head of the EU’s foreign policy, Joseph Borrell, referred to the war unleashed by Azerbaijan against the population of Armenia on the evening of September 12. “Armenian Wave” presents the main points of J. Borel’s speech.
1. Azerbaijan bombed the sovereign territory of Armenia, not some disputed territory, therefore, the EU perceives it not as military operations around the disputed territory, but as invasions into the Armenian territory. Azerbaijan occupied a part of the territory of Armenia.
2. The EU has proposed an EU mediation mission to be stationed at the border. Armenia agrees, but Azerbaijan does not. The EU cannot send troops without the agreement of both sides.
3. Azerbaijan is an important partner of the EU and according to the recently signed energy agreement, the EU will import 50% more gas than before.
4. Sanctions and liquidation or temporary freezing of energy contracts are not planned. The maximum that the EU can do is to call on Azerbaijan to withdraw its troops from the sovereign territory of the Republic of Armenia, which is being done.
5. Azerbaijan has announced that an investigation will be carried out in connection with the video of the shooting of Armenian prisoners of war. The EU is waiting for the results.
6. Personally, J. Borel assures that he is not less concerned about the created situation and the violation of human rights, but the EU is doing the best it can.
Thus, the head of the EU’s foreign policy frankly admits that the EU is unable to do anything, except for calls for restraint and targeted statements in the South Caucasus. Basically, J. Borel confirms the point of view that the EU currently does not have material levers to curb Azerbaijani war aggression, and does not see the expediency of using economic and energy levers, which is natural considering the growing threat of the energy crisis. In this case, however, the question arises as to how the EU is going to guarantee the implementation of the “peace treaty” under the active mediation of Charles Michel if it is signed anyway. It should be noted once again: Europe’s capabilities and goals do not match the complex mission of guaranteeing peace in the region, and J. Borel’s answers to the questions raised in the EU Parliament once again prove that.
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