Response from the European External Action Service to Veronika Zonabend’s Appeal
On 7 July 2026, Veronika Zonabend wrote to Kaja Kallas, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. In her letter she set out the situation of Ruben Vardanyan and other Armenian citizens detained in Azerbaijan, and requested support for an international women’s humanitarian mission to Baku. The mission’s purpose is to obtain access to the detainees held at the Umbaki Penitentiary Complex, to deliver letters and permitted personal items, and to raise the question of restoring regular independent monitoring.
A response from the European External Action Service was received on 30 July 2026.
We publish the reply in full.
For context: the International Committee of the Red Cross ceased its operations in Azerbaijan on 2 September 2025.
Brussels, 30 July 2026
Dear Ms Zonabend,
Thank you for your letter dated 7 July 2026 and addressed to High Representative Kaja Kallas concerning the situation of your husband and other Armenians detained in Azerbaijan.
We are aware of your initiative and your planned visit to Baku. As you know, the European Union has closely followed the situation related to the detention and trials of Armenians detained in Azerbaijan. We have consistently called on Azerbaijan to respect due process and the right to a fair trial, and to ensure adequate conditions of detention, in line with Azerbaijan’s international commitments. We also fully support the activities of the International Committee of the Red Cross, including its visits to the detainees.
The EU actively supports the ongoing peace process between Armenia and Azerbaijan and encourages the parties to address all outstanding humanitarian issues through their bilateral dialogue, including through additional confidence-building measures.
Yours sincerely,
Aymeric DUPONT
