Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict

Tuesday 2 May 2023 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The UK values its relationships with both Armenia and Azerbaijan and works with them to advance regional stability, security, and prosperity.
  • The UK Government's policy on genocide recognition is that it is a matter for judicial decision rather than for Governments or non-judicial bodies.
  • The UK is concerned about the humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh and has provided 1 million in humanitarian assistance.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Giles Watling Con
Foreign Affairs
Context

The MP inquires about the implications of the ongoing Nagorno-Karabakh conflict for UK policies.

Question

What recent assessment has he made of the implications for his policies of the ongoing Nagorno-Karabakh conflict?

Answer from Leo Docherty

The UK values our relationships with both Armenia and Azerbaijan, and we work together on shared interests to advance regional stability, security and prosperity. There is no military solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. We continue to urge the parties to engage in substantive negotiations to secure a sustainable and peaceful settlement.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific impact on UK policies was not directly addressed.

How: Values Our Relationships, Work Together On Shared Interests

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Q2 Giles Watling Con
Foreign Affairs Religion & Faith
Context

The MP attended a wreath-laying ceremony commemorating the Armenian genocide and inquired about UK's stance on formal recognition.

Question

I recently attended the wreath-laying ceremony at the Cenotaph commemorating the Armenian genocide 108 years ago. I was with His Excellency Varuzhan Nersesyan, the Armenian ambassador. With that in mind, can my hon. Friend tell me why the United Kingdom has not yet formally recognised the genocide, as many other countries have done?

Answer from Leo Docherty

Of course, it is a very sensitive subject, but the policy of the UK Government is that recognition of genocide is a matter for judicial decision rather than for Governments or non-judicial bodies. When an international legal body makes a judgment that the crime constitutes a genocide, that is a deciding factor in whether we use that term.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The direct reason for not recognizing was avoided by citing judicial process instead of a political decision.

How: Judicial Decision, Not For Governments Or Non-Judicial Bodies

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Q3 Carol Monaghan SNP
Foreign Affairs
Context

The humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh is deteriorating, with NGOs warning of ethnic cleansing and a blockade affecting Armenians.

Question

In Nagorno-Karabakh, the humanitarian situation is deteriorating rapidly. More than a dozen non-governmental organisations, including Genocide Watch, have stated that the conditions are ripe for ethnic cleansing. That is a very concerning situation for the 120,000 Armenians who live there. What further pressure can the Government bring to bear to end the blockade of the Lachin corridor?

Answer from Leo Docherty

We take this extremely seriously. We have urged all parties to return to the negotiating table and to reopen the Lachin corridor. I have spoken directly to the Foreign Ministers of both nations about this. Of course, we are very pleased that we have provided £1 million of humanitarian assistance to the International Committee of the Red Cross following the 2020 conflict.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific actions or commitments to lift the blockade were not detailed.

How: Urged All Parties, Spoken Directly, £1 Million Humanitarian Assistance

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