Australia’s DFAT responds to letter of President of Assyrian National Council

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Australia (DFAT) responded to the letter of the President of Assyrian National Council Hermiz Shahen:

“The Australian Government is concerned about the disruptions to access to Nagorno-Karabakh via the Lachin Corridor and humanitarian impacts on the people of that region, Australia supports the UN Secretary General’s position of 2 August 2023, when he called for urgent steps to facilitate access for delivery of humanitarian assistance to people in need. Australia supports the work of the International Committee of the Red Cross and calls on all parties to ensure that humanitarian aid is provided to all in need without obstruction.

We support the provisional measures order issued by the International Court of Justice on 22 February 2023, which was reaffirmed by the Court on 6 July 2023. The Court ordered Azerbaijan to “take all measures at its disposal to ensure unimpeded movement of persons, vehicles and cargo along the Lachin Corridor in both directions.”

Australia values our relations with both Armenia and Azerbaijan. We monitor the situation in the South Caucasus and acknowledge the positions of the respective parties. We actively convey our views and concerns to both parties through diplomatic channels, including that we support international mediation efforts to bring their leaders together around the table. We also encourage both countries to grasp the opportunity to reach an agreement that guarantees the rights and security of the inhabitants of Nagorno-Karabakh and recognises the sovereignty and territorial integrity of both Armenia and Azerbaijan.”