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A debate titled “Protection of civilians and medical care in armed conflict” was held by the United Nations Security Council on May 25. The open discussion was chaired by Rodolfo Nin Novoa, Foreign Minister of Uruguay, with representatives of over 70 member states delivering speeches. Armenia’s Permanent Representatives to the UN Zohrab Mnatsakanyan also made remarks during the discussion, Panorama.am reports citing the Press Service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres made opening remarks, stressing the importance of ensuring respect for international humanitarian and human rights law, as well as the protection of humanitarian and medical personnel.

In his remarks, Armenian representative Zohrab Mnatsakanyan noted that Armenia joined the Safe Schools Declaration aimed at protecting the educational institutions from military attacks.

“Crises, crimes and genocides do not occur suddenly. They are visible and predictable,” he added.

Mr. Mnatsakanyan highlighted the unconditional implementation of the international humanitarian law, mainly the Geneva conventions and their additional protocols for the protection of civilians, including humanitarian and medical personnel.

Touching upon the large-scale military aggression unleashed by Azerbaijan against the Nagorno-Karabakh in April 2016, Mr. Mnatsakanyan recalled the atrocities of the Azerbaijani forces committed against the civilians, including the elderly people and children. On behalf of Armenia, he once again called for the implementation of the agreements reached at Vienna and St. Petersburg summits in order to ensure necessary conditions for the promotion of the NK peace talks.

At the end of his speech, Ambassador Mnatsakanyan again expressed the gratitude of Armenia to the UN, its Security Council and the Secretary General for the unconditional support to the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs aimed at settling the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.