Statement by the Permanent Representative of Brazil to the United Nations, Ambassador Ronaldo Costa Filho, on Nagorno-Karabakh - December 20th, 2022

Madam President,

Brazil received the reports of restrictions on freedom of movement in the Lachin corridor with concern. The right of passage on the road is one of the pillars of the trilateral declaration of November 9, 2020. Any obstructions, regardless of the pretext, jeopardize the well-being of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh and threaten the reconciliation process between Armenia and Azerbaijan, in a conflict that has already cost thousands of human lives.

Fortunately, the tensions of the last few days have not translated into episodes of violence. We encourage the parties to show similar restraint in their rhetoric, so that the harshness of their words is not interpreted as incitement to renewed hostilities. It is essential to keep channels of dialogue open and adopt confidence-building measures, in order to objectively clarify the facts and find pragmatic solutions.

We take note of the mediation efforts of the Russian Federation, which have contributed to the resumption of gas supply to the region. We encourage other members to act in an equally constructive way to prevent the crisis from escalating and to avert the dangers of a worsening humanitarian situation.

Madam President,

The November 9, 2020 declaration offers an initial roadmap for peacebuilding. It is essential that the parties refrain from actions that could characterize violations of its terms, in order to ensure the conditions for the commission established to demarcate the bilateral border to carry out its mandate successfully.

I thank you.