Politics

The Austrian parliament adopted a resolution condemning the ethnic cleansing of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh by Azerbaijan.

On October 19, the Austrian parliament unanimously adopted a resolution condemning the ethnic cleansing carried out by Azerbaijan against the people of Nagorno-Karabakh. Armenian Ambassador to Austria Armen Papikyan participated in the session of the National Council as an honored guest.

Many MPs made speeches condemning Azerbaijan, calling on the federal government of Austria to support Armenia and the forcibly displaced people of Nagorno-Karabakh. The resolution, supported by all five factions in the legislature, calls on the federal government to "condemn in all international forums and bilateral discussions Azerbaijan's military actions that led to the mass exodus of more than 100,000 ethnic Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh."

The resolution emphasizes the importance of the protection of the rights of ethnic Armenians remaining in Nagorno-Karabakh and those who wish to return to Nagorno-Karabakh, the implementation of the decisions of the International Court of Justice regarding free movement through the Lachin Corridor.

The Federal Government of Austria is also called upon to ensure the free and unimpeded long-term access of international humanitarian organizations to Nagorno-Karabakh and the comprehensive protection of Nagorno-Karabakh's cultural assets and churches. The resolution also advocates providing necessary funds to Armenia, a priority country of Austrian development cooperation, to stabilize the humanitarian situation further.