Macron Vows Diplomatic Action to Address Azerbaijani Blockade in Nagorno-Karabakh, Fears of Humanitarian Crisis Rise

French President Emmanuel Macron has pledged to take diplomatic action to increase pressure on Azerbaijan over its blockade of Armenian-controlled areas of Nagorno-Karabakh, which has sparked concerns of a humanitarian crisis. Macron announced during a conference of French ambassadors that he would hold discussions with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in the coming days. He emphasized the need to ensure respect for the Lachin humanitarian corridor and vowed to launch a new diplomatic initiative internationally to address the issue.

Armenia recently called for a crisis meeting at the UN Security Council to address the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh and accused Azerbaijan of blocking supplies to the disputed region. The conflict between the two Caucasus neighbors dates back to the 1980s and has resulted in two wars over the Nagorno-Karabakh territory. In the most recent conflict in 2020, Azerbaijan achieved significant territorial gains and regained control of key areas in Karabakh, including the culturally important city of Shusha.

Yerevan has accused Baku of preventing traffic through the Lachin corridor, a crucial road that connects Armenia to settlements in Nagorno-Karabakh still populated by Armenians. Mher Margaryan, Armenia's permanent representative to the UN, warned of a potential humanitarian catastrophe, citing shortages of food, medicine, and energy in Nagorno-Karabakh. Azerbaijan's ambassador to France, Leyla Abdullayeva, countered the accusations by stating that Armenia has worsened the security situation in the region by misusing the Lachin route to transfer mines and illegal armed forces onto Azerbaijani territory.

Abdullayeva explained that Azerbaijan had established a checkpoint on the Lachin route to address this issue. She also criticized French elected representatives for accompanying a humanitarian convoy for Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh, claiming that it had led to the demonization of Azerbaijan based on baseless allegations of a humanitarian disaster. Despite mediation efforts by the European Union, the United States, and Russia, the two countries have struggled to reach a lasting peace settlement. While Azerbaijan has gained control over key areas, Armenian separatists still retain control over other parts of the region, including the main city of Stepanakert. The ongoing tensions and humanitarian concerns in Nagorno-Karabakh continue to pose challenges for regional stability and require concerted diplomatic efforts to find a resolution.