Status of the embargo | Ongoing |
Entity | State |
Organisation(s) imposing embargo(es) | UN & OSCE |
Restriction(s) | Conventional weapons |
Exceptions | No |
Armenia is partially subject to some OSCE restrictive measures. These restrictive measures have been decided following the outbreak of an armed conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan on the latter’s Nagorno-Karabakh region, which is claimed by both sides. Armenia is also subject to a UN embargo, which is currently open to interpretation.
UN
Due to the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan in the Nagorno-Karabakh region, the United Nations Security Council has imposed an arms embargo since 1993 (Resolution 853 (1993)).
- Conventional weapons
Prohibitions
The current sanctions regime, as detailed in Resolution 853 (1993), urges “States to refrain from the supply of any weapons and munitions which might lead to an intensification of the conflict or the continued occupation of territory” (para.10).
At present, however, the binding nature of this embargo is open to interpretation. Although there is no Security Council resolution stating that the embargo has been lifted, some believe that this sanctions regime is no longer binding/active, as since 2002, the Security Council has neither set a date for re-evaluating this regime, nor indicated that it remains “actively seized of the matter”.
OSCE
The Nagorno-Karabakh area has been subject to an OSCE (then CSCE) arms embargo since 1992, thereby having implications for Armenia and Azerbaijan.
- Conventional weapons
Prohibitions
The Seventh Meeting of the CSCE Committee of Senior Officials held on 28 February 1992 “requests that all participating States and all states in the region impose an immediate embargo on all deliveries of weapons and munitions to forces engaged in combat in the Nagorno-Karabakh area [including Armenian and Azerbaijani forces operating in the area*], and inform the Conflict Prevention Centre of steps taken in this respect” (para. 4).
Others
These measures are still in force.
Restrictions diagram :
Conventional weapons