Evidence of meeting #45 for Foreign Affairs and International Development in the 44th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was region.
A video is available from Parliament.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ali Ehsassi
Thank you, Mr. Bergeron.
We will now go to the last question.
Mr. Davies, you have two and a half minutes.
NDP
Don Davies NDP Vancouver Kingsway, BC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Again, thank you to both witnesses for being here. I realize these issues engage very deeply held beliefs and feelings, and I appreciate your sharing your positions with us.
In my remaining time, I'd like to give each of you about a minute to advise on what you think is the best way forward. I've heard it repeatedly, and I sense that everybody wants a just and peaceful resolution to the situation.
I'd like to give each of you a minute to tell me what advice you would share with us on how we can achieve that.
Chairman of the Board, Network of Azerbaijani Canadians
Thank you, Mr. Davies.
The way forward is to continue calling on, encouraging and urging both parties to achieve a peace deal. That will stop the illegal trafficking of land mines to Azerbaijani territories. That will facilitate traffic and access for Armenians of Karabakh to Armenia proper, as well as ensure the access of western regions between the western regions of Azerbaijan and the Nakhchivan region.
I disagree with the point that was made that there was no crisis in Nakhchivan and, therefore, it doesn't deserve to have access. I don't know how my colleague has established that there is no crisis there—
NDP
Don Davies NDP Vancouver Kingsway, BC
If I might, Mr. Chair, I want to make sure that there is time for Mr. Waters. That is on the previous question.
Thank you.
Go ahead, Dr. Waters.
Professor, Faculty of Law, University of Windsor, As an Individual
Thank you, Mr. Davies.
On January 19, the European Parliament passed a resolution on the humanitarian consequences of the blockade in Nagorno-Karabakh, which “Urges Azerbaijan to respect and implement the trilateral statement of 9 November 2020 and immediately reopen the Lachin corridor to enable free movement and ensure access to essential goods and services”. It also urges the parties to come to a “comprehensive peace agreement”.
There are two tracks here which, to my mind, are quite simple. We have to encourage immediate access for humanitarian goods and people to travel back and forth. The idea of children being stuck in Armenia proper and unable to return to their families in Nagorno-Karabakh is simply untenable. We have to have these two tracks whereby we demand, frankly, as a player on the international stage and a country that now has a presence in the South Caucasus, that the humanitarian corridor be opened.
At the same time, we also encourage, urge and, frankly, demand that both parties continue to negotiate and come up with a durable and comprehensive peace solution. I would encourage us to do something like the European Parliament has done in that respect.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ali Ehsassi
Thank you very much, Mr. Davies.
With that, we can now conclude this hearing today.
Allow me to thank Mr. Jahangirli and Professor Waters. These are complicated issues, but your perspectives were very helpful. Thank you for that.
The meeting stands adjourned.