Brussels, 07/06/2017 - AGBU Europe launches an appeal calling on the European Union and European aid organizations to engage with the population of Nagorno-Karabakh. More than 50 public figures from academia, politics, civil society and the arts and from around Europe have already endorsed the appeal. 
 
Nagorno-Karabakh (NK) is a landlocked mountainous territory in the South Caucasus, home to 150,000 people. It is one of several unrecognized states that emerged from the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991. The Republic of Azerbaijan claims sovereignty over NK. 
 
The inhabitants of this small territory have been under threat and isolation for more than 20 years, which has caused considerable hardship. A blockade continues to impact the daily life of the population, who live under the continuous threat of war. The population also suffers from the highest mine-related casualty rate in the world.
 
EU policy towards Nagorno-Karabakh is unique. The EU does not provide aid to its population, in contrast to other territories under dispute, such as Northern Cyprus, Abkhazia or Transnistria, which have received substantial benefits from EU engagement and aid.
 
“We call on all those who believe in Europe to sign onto this appeal. We stand ready to work with the European institutions as well as with international NGOs to find ways to respond to the needs of the civilian population in Nagorno-Karabakh,” says Nadia Gortzounian, President of AGBU Europe.

Despite the isolation and economic hardship, Nagorno-Karabakh focuses on the development of democracy. It is making considerable efforts to improve institutions and strengthen civil society. 
 
AGBU Europe has published a video and information package aimed at explaining the case for EU engagement in NK.
 
The appeal can be signed online at: change.org 
 
The short video can be viewed at: We want Europe in Nagorno-Karabakh

For more information, please visit AGBU Europe's campaign page.
 
Follow us on Facebook to support this campaign.
 
AGBU Europe  (www.agbueurope.eu) coordinates and develops the pan-European activities of the Armenian General Benevolent Union. Established in 1906, AGBU (www.agbu.org) is the world’s largest non-profit Armenian organization. AGBU Europe runs numerous programmes in fields relating to academic research, the preservation and promotion of heritage, education and culture as well as awareness raising, advocacy and leadership training.