Senator Anthony J. Portantino’s Statement on Azerbaijan’s Attacks on Artsakh

Having spent significant time in Artsakh over the past 5 years I have seen a peaceful people who have bravely lived under the threat of violence for three decades. The children and families I broke bread with deserve to fulfill the promise of their lives without bombs and border aggression threatening their futures.

I am extremely disheartened by the unprovoked attack on Artsakh by Turkish backed Azerbaijan forces. The recent actions of Aliyev and Erdogan to increase combative tactics and undermine the tenuous 30 years of peace needs to be condemned by the international community. The United States and the international community must hold Azerbaijan and Turkey accountable and call for immediate de-escalation and an end to all military actions. The Trump administration should halt all economic assistance to Azerbaijan and work through the OSCE Minsk group to establish a lasting peace in the region.

A failure to act swiftly now will encourage aggression and lead to more loss of innocent life.

Hon. Anthony J. Portantino
State Senator
25th State Senate District