- April 8, 2024
Washington, D.C. – On April 5, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, EU High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, USAID Administrator Samantha Power, and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, met in Brussels to reaffirm support for Armenia’s sovereignty, democracy, territorial integrity, and socio-economic resilience. The leaders pledged to expand economic and humanitarian support for Armenia and strengthen the democratic path it has chosen.
Global ARM strongly supports these efforts, aligning with our goals to bolster U.S.-Armenia economic and security cooperation. While the EU and U.S. have committed funding to support the more than 105,000 refugees forcibly displaced by Azerbaijan’s ethnic cleansing in September 2023, further action is essential. Global ARM is advocating for a comprehensive aid package with congressional and administration leaders to meet critical needs in education, housing, healthcare and psychosocial support, emphasizing the Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians’ right to return to their indigenous homeland.
Following the Summit, Azerbaijan escalated attacks on Armenian villages, targeting civilian infrastructure. Azerbaijan already occupies nearly 200 square kilometers of Armenia and illegally detains dozens of Armenian prisoners and hostages.
Aliyev, aligning with Putin and disregarding diplomacy and international law, perpetrated the ethnic cleansing of Nagorno-Karabakh as Russian “peacekeepers” stepped aside. Before Russia invaded Ukraine, Aliyev and Putin deepened military cooperation, with Russian firms acquiring approximately 25 percent of Azerbaijan’s largest natural gas field. Under Aliyev, Azerbaijan has become one of the world’s most corrupt and repressive regimes, rejecting U.S. and EU peace mediation efforts in favor of colluding with Putin against Armenia.
On April 3, Blinken warned Aliyev against escalating border tensions with Armenia, urging adherence to international human rights obligations and the release of unjustly detained Armenians. Aliyev, maintaining his pattern, dismissed diplomatic appeals, opting for aggression.
Global ARM advocates for stronger U.S., EU and global ties with Armenia to reduce dependence on Russia while promoting its progress in democratic governance, economic diversification and integrated security frameworks.
We also call for holding Aliyev accountable for his violent actions and clear violation of international law through sanctions, which are expected to gain broad support.