Armenia’s support for Russia’s sanctions evasion fuels Ukraine humanitarian crisis Azerbaijani NGOs appeal to the EU

Non-governmental organisations of Azerbaijan have circulated an appeal expressing serious concern over Armenia's activities creating conditions for evading international sanctions imposed on Russia in connection with the war in Ukraine.

The appeal is addressed to the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell and President of the Council of the European Union Charles Michel, among others, Caliber.Az reports.

The appeal emphasises that the sanctions imposed by Western countries are aimed at holding Russia accountable and preventing a humanitarian crisis. The Armenian authorities, by pursuing a hypocritical policy, violate the requirements of international law and, by supporting Russia in evading sanctions, deepen the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine.

“The sharp change in the commodity and geographical structure of Armenia's foreign trade during 2021-2023 is due to the evasion of sanctions imposed on Russia by Western countries. Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk said at a meeting of the intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation between Russia and Armenia that the foreign trade turnover between the two countries will reach $14-16 billion in 2024. If this forecast holds, the foreign trade turnover between Armenia and the Russian Federation will increase almost 8 times in 2024 compared to 2020. Such growth is due to the fact that despite the introduction of sanctions against the Russian Federation by the European Union, a number of EU countries continue foreign trade operations with the Russian Federation through Armenia,” the statement reads.

In view of the above, Azerbaijani NGOs call on the United States and the European Union to strengthen control over Armenia's trade operations, apply a stricter inspection regime for goods imported and exported by Armenia, and ensure transparency in this area to prevent illicit trade in goods used in war. In addition, NGOs call for the imposition of targeted sanctions or trade restrictions on any state that facilitates sanctions evasion, including against Armenia, and for increased diplomatic pressure on that country.