Canadian Foreign Minister says possible sanctions against Azerbaijan ‘are now on the table’

Possible sanctions against Azerbaijan are currently on the table, and Canada is closely following the developments in the South Caucasus and expects that the territorial integrity of Armenia will be respected, Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly said at a joint press conference with Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan.

“Canada highly appreciates Armenia’s efforts to promote peace and stability in the South Caucasus. We all agree that more needs to be done. Canada calls on Azerbaijan to respect the territorial integrity of Armenia and reaffirms the importance of compliance with the principle of non-use of force and the threat of its use.

Canada also calls on the Azerbaijani government to respect the right of recently displaced Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh to return, and to show good faith in ensuring unimpeded humanitarian access to Nagorno-Karabakh, as well as to ensure the safe return of ethnic Armenians,” she said.

The Canadian Minister assured that they are working to find a stable solution to the conflict through negotiations. According to her, it is important that Canada and the whole world demonstrate their support to the Armenian people, generations of people who suffered from the consequences of the 1915 Genocide, as well as to the Armenians forcibly displaced from Artsakh.

“Canada is increasing its humanitarian assistance for the displaced persons of Nagorno-Karabakh to a total of $3.9 million. This includes an additional $1 million to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and $2.5 million to the ICRC to meet the needs of the displaced persons who considered Nagorno-Karabakh their homeland for centuries and were forced to leave due to circumstances,” Joly said.

She said that tomorrow she will go to Jermuk to get acquainted with the situation caused by the humanitarian crisis on the spot, meet with the families of forcibly displaced persons, and discuss issues with the heads of local authorities.

“The friendship between Canada and Armenia is based on deep ties between peoples. More than 60,000 people of Armenian descent consider Canada their homeland. The Armenian community of Canada makes a significant contribution to the public life of Canadian cities, including Montreal. Our country supports the sovereignty and independence of Armenia.

We believe in your democratic aspirations and are ready to work with you to bring them to life. Today is an important milestone in relations between Canada and Armenia: the Embassy of Canada officially opens in Yerevan. We made this promise to the Armenian people last year, and now we are happy to fulfill it. Canadian diplomats will arrive in Armenia to promote relations between our countries. We support the democratic reforms being carried out in your country,” Joly concluded.