Armenian-German NGO warns of global repercussions of conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia and calls for EU civilian engagement for security and democracy

Press release of FPWC Germany e. V. of 02.10.2023.

"The conflict is by no means over, Aliev and Erdogan are not yet at their set goal," warns Nils-Christian Engel, chairman of the association FPWC Deutschland e. V. After the expulsion of the Armenian population from Nagorno-Karabakh, Azerbaijan and Turkey are clearly preparing for military action in the southern Armenian province of Syunik. This is not just to create a land link between the two states - ultimately, it is to establish a new axis of power under Turkish leadership stretching from Central Asia to the Mediterranean. "This process deeply interferes with the interests of China, Iran and Russia. Europe is well advised not to leave the direction to autocrats, theocrats and petrodictators, but to protect and strengthen Armenia as a democratic island," Engel underlines. "That is why we call on the member states of the European Union - and of course the Federal Republic of Germany in the first place - to follow France's example and open consulates in Syunik. The EU observer mission EUMA must be multiplied immediately in order to ensure a seamless presence of civilian European forces in the border area. It is desirable that other European institutions decide to open offices in the endangered regions." Such an initiative would be a real opportunity for pacifist security policy, as is often called for in Ukraine, Engel adds. "This includes not acting again only when it is too late."

The FPWC (Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Assets in the Republic of Armenia) is a non-profit Armenian-German non-governmental organization that has been working for nature conservation, environmental protection, environmental education and sustainable development in the Republic of Armenia for more than 20 years. The activities of the Armenian foundation and its German branch FPWC Deutschland e. V. include educational projects for children and youth, the annual international environmental festival "SunChild" in the Armenian capital Yerevan, various sustainable community development projects in the rural regions of Armenia and the first private nature reserve in the South Caucasus, the "Caucasus Wildlife Refuge".

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