AmCham, ABBC, BACC and other business organizations issue a statement strongly condemning Azerbaijan’s aggression

American Chamber of Commerce in Armenia (AmCham), Armenian British Business Chamber – (ABBC), Belgian Armenian Chamber of Commerce (BACC), European Business Association (EBA), CCI France Armenia, Chamber of Commerce and Industry Portugal-Armenia, Hellenic - Armenian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Union of Manufacturers and Businessmen of Armenia issued a joint statement expressing their strong concern at the large-scale attack along the entire line of contact of Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh) using heavy artillery, tanks, aircraft and missiles by the dictatorial regime of Azerbaijan, since 27 September 2020.

“We strongly condemn the aggression of the military-political leadership of Azerbaijan and Turkey targeting the peaceful settlements in Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh) and Armenia, undermining the economic stability, free international trade and cooperation and civilian security and peace in the Caucasus, raising the risks of a full-fledged war with growing authoritarianism and with no exit plan for such interventions. On 1 October 2020, the Azerbaijani armed forces used artillery in the direction of the city of Shatvan, Gegharkunik region, Republic of Armenia, as well as launched a missile attack from a combat UAV at Mets Masrik settlement, city of Vardenis, Geharkunik region (on 29 September) and Abovian community – only 15 km far from the capital city of Yerevan. There are already over a hundred wounded and killed among the military and civilian population in Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh), and a civilian was killed, two were wounded and a bus was burnt in the territory of Armenia.

This is an outrageous violation of Armenia’s air-space by Azerbaijan and Turkey and a direct attempt to endanger the lives of our fellow citizens and our families. It is a direct violation of basic human rights to a free and peaceful life, economic activity and freedom of movement in our sovereign country. Current developments jeopardize not only economic stability in the region, but the physical security of the civilian population, already taking dozens of innocent lives. We believe that if the international community does not react in a timely and appropriate manner, the military operations may extend beyond the current conflict zone, resulting in serious atrocities, based on historical precedent and a humanitarian and economic crisis in the region, exacerbated by the situation related to the coronavirus outbreak. We call the international community, international organizations - the UN, the Council of Europe, the European Union, the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs – to raise their voice and take urgent and effective immediate Action to stop Azerbaijani and Turkey aggression and to insist on the resumption of negotiations for a peaceful resolution of the conflict,” the joint statement reads.