humanitarianism

"We're trying to combine security with humanitarianism while saving our border in line with EU law," Mr Duszczyk said.

The Chinese ministry spokesman, Wang Wenbin, referring to North Koreans who entered illegally for economic reasons, said China had always handled the issue "properly" according to principles of domestic and international law and humanitarianism.

"Humanitarianism in its nature is thankless, it's selfless," she said.

While France and other countries used the opportunity to highlight the principles of international law and humanitarianism as reasons to lift the blockade, other delegations — such as Great Britain, which has significant oil investments in the country — held back on condemning Azerbaijan.

The Biafran airlift is widely considered a watershed moment in international humanitarianism.