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The delegation led by European Union Crisis Management Commissioner Janez Lenarcic is in Armenia. He issued the following statement at a joint news conference with Deputy Prime Minister Tigran Khachatryan on Friday:

"I came to Armenia to show the full solidarity of the European Union to Armenia, the Armenian people and, in particular, the people displaced from Karabakh. As you know, the European Union has strongly condemned the latest military operation of the Azerbaijani forces against the Armenian population of Karabakh. As you know, this military operation led to the displacement of more than 100 thousand people to Armenia. I assure Armenia and the Armenian people that they can count on the full support of the European Union in this difficult situation.

Immediately after the last military operation of the Azerbaijani forces against the population of Karabakh, the European Union arrived there. We very quickly mobilized more than 5 million euros in humanitarian aid, doubled it a few days later, and as of today have provided more than 10 million euros in humanitarian aid, primarily to help people who have been displaced from Karabakh. In addition, we have mobilized the European Union's stock of humanitarian aid supplies, which will be sent to Armenia in the next few hours for people in need of humanitarian assistance. Here I would like to emphasize the very quick and efficient management of the situation by the Armenian authorities at all levels, from the level of the government to the level of local self-government. I would also like to welcome the generosity of people, first of all, those who offered their own homes to accommodate displaced people from Karabakh. We have also activated the EU civil protection mechanism, encouraged EU member states and other members of this structure to respond to the situation. 13 countries have already responded to Armenia's request for support. Many countries have already expressed their willingness and offered support, in particular, we are talking about food, medicine, and hygiene items. It is very important that the medicine is already being provided to the hospitals where people injured in the explosion of the fuel depot are being treated. I would like to mention those countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, France, Germany, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Poland, Romania, Spain, Sweden and Norway. These are the countries that have shown complete solidarity towards Armenia.

In conclusion, I would like to note that after the end of this emergency situation, we will continue our support in the medium and long term. And finally, I would like to reaffirm the tireless support of the European Union to the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Armenia."