Author: Ekmekjian Janet

Opinion A humanitarian catastrophe is unfolding in the Caucasus

Ekmekjian Janet
Washington Post
Aug 11 2023

By David Ignatius

Accept Azerbaijan’s political control or leave Nagorno-Karabakh. That’s essentially what Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev is telling the Armenian population of this remote enclave that lies within Azerbaijan’s borders.

But leaders of the Armenian majority there argue that Aliyev’s tactics amount to genocide — and many residents appear ready to starve rather than submit.

Aliyev was emphatic in an Aug. 2 interview with Euronews: “People who live in Karabakh … they live in Azerbaijan. They should choose whether to live as citizens as [an] ethnic minority … or to leave. So this is their choice.”

In an apparent effort to enforce sovereignty, Azerbaijan has been blockading the road from Armenia to Nagorno-Karabakh, known as the “Lachin Corridor” since June 15. Without this route, the Armenian population has lost access to food, fuel, medicine and other essential supplies. The Azerbaijanis say they are ready to ship food from Azerbaijan, but Armenians fear it might be a trap — a first step toward integration by force — and they have blocked the Azerbaijani entry routes with concrete barriers.

Arayik Harutyunyan, the president of “Artsakh,” as Armenians call this region, appealed for international support against what he called a “genocidal policy” in a statement this week: “The blockade of the Lachin Corridor is not an isolated incident. It should be regarded as part of a planned, large-scale and coordinated policy by Azerbaijan aimed at the destruction of the people of Artsakh as a whole.” He requested a meeting of the U.N. Security Council.

State Department officials have been working with European partners and Russia to try to reopen the Lachin Corridor and end the humanitarian crisis. The plight of residents there has raised growing international concern for the welfare of Nagorno-Karabakh’s 120,000 residents. Luis Moreno Ocampo, a former prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, issued a report this week alleging that “there is a reasonable basis to believe that a genocide is being committed.”

U.S. officials believe that Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh are managing to survive only because of backyard gardens and other home-produced food. They fear that within two months, as winter approaches, the population could face starvation. Armenians dread a repetition of the Ottoman genocide of 1915, an ever-present historical memory for Armenians around the world.

The blockade of fuel supplies is already having a crippling effect inside Nagorno-Karabakh. According to an Armenian official, “even ambulance vehicles are not able to operate within Nagorno-Karabakh because there is simply no fuel.”

The humanitarian crisis surrounding the Lachin Corridor is the latest chapter of a decades-old struggle over the Nagorno-Karabakh enclave. Armenia won control in 1994, but skirmishes continued for the next 25 years. Azerbaijan regained power in a 2020 war that left Armenia dazed and defeated. Russia brokered the deal that ended that war and has a nominal peacekeeping force in Nagorno-Karabakh. But Moscow’s ability to maintain peace and stability has been severely weakened by the Ukraine conflict.

The Armenian government in Yerevan, headed by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, has said it is ready for a broad peace agreement with Baku. The two sides have held repeated negotiating sessions, including three in the United States organized by the Biden administration. But this diplomatic process has been ruptured by the Lachin crisis.

An Armenian diplomat told me this week in an email message that her government continues to seek normalization with Baku. But she said Yerevan wants “international guarantees” that a peace deal will be “fully implemented,” and “guarantees of rights and security of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh.”

The Lachin crisis is a distillation of what has been the core issue from the beginning. Nagorno-Karabakh had long been recognized internationally as part of Azerbaijan; but the Armenian majority there wants some form of political self-determination, rather than dictation from a hostile government in Baku. There’s abundant food waiting at various border crossings. But Azerbaijan needs to build some trust by ending the Lachin barricade that started this crisis.

When I visited Stepanakert, the de facto Nagorno-Karabakh capital, in April 2016, I saw a monument to the spirit of resistance there that Baku evidently wants to break. On the road to the airport stood an immense stone statue of an old man and woman, seemingly buried in the hillside. The name of the monument was “We Are Our Mountains.”

The message to the world was simple, as I wrote at the time: We aren’t moving. That’s still true. Nagorno-Karabakh may be part of Azerbaijan legally, but it’s going to be populated by ethnic Armenians who need protection of their human rights. It’s time for all parties to accept both sides of that equation.

David Ignatius writes a twice-a-week foreign affairs column for The Washington Post. His latest novel is “The Paladin.”  Twitter

Nagorno-Karabakh ruling party nominates ARF lawmaker Davit Ishkhanyan for Speaker

Ekmekjian Janet

 10:29, 7 August 2023

STEPANAKERT, AUGUST 7, ARMENPRESS. The Nagorno-Karabakh Parliament convened an extraordinary session Monday morning to elect a new Speaker following Artur Tovmasyan’s resignation.

The ruling Free Motherland (AHK) party has nominated Davit Ishkhanyan, a Member of Parliament representing the opposition ARF, for the position.

President Arayik Harutyunyan and former Speaker Arthur Tovmasyan are also participating in the session.

Van Novikov




Azerbaijan rejects US mediation in Nagorno-Karabakh negotiations to hide its threats of war

Ekmekjian Janet
July 31 2023

There’s information that in the coming days, representatives of Azerbaijan and Nagorno-Karabakh will meet in a third country in order to negotiate, with the USA serving as an intermediary state. The Karabakh-Azerbaijani negotiations will probably take place in Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria.

There’s a need for official confirmation of the information, but this may only happen if the negotiation process implies confidentiality. This is at least the second attempt to organise a Baku-Stepanakert meeting in Bulgaria. The previous one was months ago, in May-June, but it failed due to Azerbaijan’s maximalist position.

In particular, the international mediators conveyed Azerbaijan’s proposals to Stepanakert. It was a program to integrate the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh into Azerbaijan. The Karabakh side perceived it not as an invitation to negotiations but as a presentation of a request by Azerbaijan. Due to the maximalism of Azerbaijan, that meeting didn’t take place.

Azerbaijan has insisted that it pay the rent for the hotel space and hospitality for the Karabakh-Azerbaijani negotiations in Sofia. Formerly, Karabakh rejected Azerbaijan’s offer to go to Baku and negotiate. Now, Azerbaijan wants to feel like a host in that negotiation.

Baku objected to American mediators in the meeting room with Stepanakert representatives in Sofia. Baku suggested that they wait in the next room.

Why does Azerbaijan object to negotiations with Nagorno Karabakh being held in the presence of international observers? During the talks, Azerbaijan intends to present a plan for the integration of Nagorno Karabakh Armenians into Azerbaijan, not to discuss or accept any of Stepanakert’s proposals, and to threaten that if Stepanakert doesn’t get its demands, Baku will start a war.

In other words, Azerbaijan imagines the meeting as an ultimatum presentation ceremony, not a negotiation. And he doesn’t want the USA to see it.

On March 1, 2023, Azerbaijan met with representatives of Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians in Ivanyan/Khojaly. The command of the Russian peacekeepers was present. Stepanakert offered to discuss technical issues at that meeting. However, the Azerbaijani deputy sent from Baku presented a plan for integrating Karabakh Armenians, intentionally disrupting the meeting.

The meeting failed. Five to six days after that meeting, Azerbaijan killed three Armenian police officers in Nagorno Karabakh. President Arayik Harutyunyan revealed after that meeting that Azerbaijan threatened the representatives of Nagorno-Karabakh that if the Azerbaijani integration plan isn’t accepted, there would be harsh military actions.

Arresting a 68-year-old citizen of Karabakh in the Lachin Corridor and transferring him to Baku is Azerbaijan’s attempt to derail the upcoming negotiations with Stepanakert. It is the use of force and threat by Azerbaijan against the Armenians of Karabakh. It may seem that the meeting with the Armenians of Karabakh is beneficial for Azerbaijan because it’s a chance to present a request.

However, when Nagorno Karabakh participates in the negotiations with Azerbaijan, it deprives Baku of the opportunity to create false grounds for using military force. Azerbaijan prefers that Karabakh doesn’t participate in the meetings, which it will interpret as destructiveness, and start a military operation against Karabakh.

Baku likely fails this upcoming match as well. For example, in addition to arresting Vagif Khachatryan, Azerbaijan can organise new military provocations and prevent the Armenian side from attending the meeting. But if the meeting occurs, the official Stepanakert will present its program and agenda.

International mediators should be more deeply involved in the negotiations. The US should move from the role of a mere meeting organiser to the position of forcing solutions. The goal of Azerbaijan is to deport the Karabakh Armenians by starving them to death, creating inhuman conditions for living.

As long as there is no intense pressure on Azerbaijan to give up this maximalism, peace will not be established. On the contrary, the high risk of a new bloody conflict will remain.

By the way, today, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken announced that he spoke with the President of Azerbaijan, Aliyev, yesterday.

In the conversation, he wrote: “I spoke to Azerbaijani President Aliyev yesterday to express our deep concern for the deteriorating humanitarian conditions in Nagorno-Karabakh. The United States urges all sides to continue dialogue to reach a durable peace agreement.”

Robert Ananyan is a journalist for Factor TV.


Member of the Knesset Ofer Cassif calls out Israeli government for supporting Azeri dictatorial regime

Ekmekjian Janet

 13:20, 5 August 2023

YEREVAN, AUGUST 5, ARMENPRESS. Member of Knesset Ofer Cassif has criticized the government of Israel for supporting Azerbaijan’s dictatorial regime.

“Israel is not only exporting weapons to any dictatorship which wants it, but is also exporting ethnic cleansing and blockades. With Israeli military support, the Azerbaijani soldiers are carrying out a deadly blockade of the Armenians of Artsakh, blockading the Lachin Corridor. The blockade continues and 120,000 people, including 30,000 children are in life-threatening condition due to famine and disease. Stop the support to dictatorships,” the Israeli lawmaker wrote in a post on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.

Armenian NGOs appeal to UNSC members with urgent call to action to address humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh

Ekmekjian Janet

 14:17, 4 August 2023

YEREVAN, AUGUST 4, ARMENPRESS. A group of Armenian NGOs have asked members of the UN Security Council to urgently intervene in relation to the escalating humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh caused by the total blockade of the Lachin Corridor by Azerbaijan.

In the urgent call for action, the Armenian NGOs warned that the blockade aims to create unbearable living conditions for the ethnic Armenians of the region and push them out from their homes, and that the Nagorno-Karabakh people are now facing the imminent threat of starvation.

Below is the Urgent Call for Action by the UN Security Council to Address the Ongoing Humanitarian Crisis in Artsakh signed by the Armenian NGOs:

“Dear Representatives of States – Members of the UN Security Council,

We appeal to the States – Members of the UN Security Council, as to the primary mandate holder for international peace and security and call for your urgent intervention in relation to the escalating humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh caused by the total blockade of the Lachin Corridor by Azerbaijan. The Lachin Corridor is the only lifeline that connects the local Armenian people to the Republic of Armenia as well as to the rest of the world. The blockade aims to create unbearable living conditions for the ethnic Armenians of the region and push them out from their homes. In recent days the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh has deteriorated further, with its people now facing the imminent threat of starvation.

As you know, since 12 December 2022, Nagorno-Karabakh people have been under siege because of the blockade of the Lachin Corridor. On 23 April 2023, the Azerbaijani government installed an official checkpoint on the end of the bridge over the Hakari River that separates Armenia and Azerbaijan. Since 15 June 2023, Azerbaijan completely banned all kinds of humanitarian transportation in both ways blatantly violating its obligation towards ensuring the safe and unhindered passage through the Lachin corridor under the Trilateral Statement of 9 November 2020.

For almost 230 days under siege, the rights of indigenous Armenian people in Nagorno-Karabakh have been systematically violated. Their lives are endangered because of frequent ceasefire breaches by the attacks of Azerbaijani armed forces, shootings in the direction of civilians, houses and schools, usually preceded by aggressive disinformation campaigns creating false narratives that Armenians are the ones violating the ceasefire. Movement of people and vehicles from and to Nagorno-Karabakh is completely banned with rare emergency exceptions for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). There is no gas, and there are rolling blackouts of electricity (for 6 hours per day). A few days ago, the operation of all the public transportation came to a halt given the lack of fuel. There is poor tele-communication and access to information, which contributes to the spread of misinformation from the Azerbaijani side. Azerbaijan’s banning the international media from accessing Nagorno Karabakh prevents any broadcasts on the situation. Most recently, the European Federation of Journalists stated that “it was the Azerbaijani army that prevented us from crossing, in accordance with government orders.”

People in Nagorno-Karabakh are facing a shortage of medication, products of hygiene, clothing and access to medical services. Only the patients in a critical state are transferred by ICRC to the hospitals in Armenia to get the due treatment. The number of early-stage miscarriages has nearly tripled in the past month due to high stress among pregnant women and inability to access a balanced diet amid the blockade.

Farmers are neither able to cultivate their farmland due to shortage of fuel nor feed their cattle given the frequent shootings by the Azerbaijani military, who also damage the agricultural equipment and steal the cattle. The Sarsang reservoir – a major source of irrigation – has almost dried up, making it unable to compensate for water shortages and generate more electricity necessary for the people’s survival.

ICRC’s recent statement says: “The civilian population is now facing a lack of life-saving medication and essentials like hygiene products and baby formula. Fruits, vegetables, and bread are increasingly scarce and costly, while some other food items such as dairy products, sunflower oil, cereal, fish, and chicken are not available. The last time the ICRC was allowed to bring medical items and essential food items into the area was several weeks ago.”

All the above mentioned are part of Azerbaijan’s broader strategy aimed at ethnic cleansing of Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh. It is important to stress that any presence of Azerbaijani armed forces as well as checkpoints on the Lachin corridor poses an imminent threat to the security of the Armenians passing through the corridor either to or from Nagorno-Karabakh given the fear of being kidnapped, murdered, imprisoned, tortured or humiliated, as proved in the last two years. Such fears make it practically impossible for the local indigenous people to enjoy any safety, to exercise their fundamental rights and freedoms, to develop in their homeland.

In December 2021, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) adopted an order of provisional measures, stating that the Republic of Azerbaijan must “take all necessary measures to prevent the incitement and promotion of racial hatred and discrimination, including by its officials and public institutions, targeted at persons of Armenian national or ethnic origin.”In August 2022, the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) published its findings on Azerbaijan, where it confirmed Azerbaijan’s coercive tactics and its hateful and antagonistic rhetoric towards Armenia, and stated that the Committee is “deeply concerned about allegations of grave human rights violations committed by the Azerbaijani military forces against prisoners of war and other protected persons of Armenian ethnic or national origin.”
In February 2023, ICJ adopted another order demanding that Azerbaijan shall, in accordance with its obligations under CERD, take all measures at its disposal to ensure unimpeded movement of persons, vehicles and cargo along the Lachin Corridor in both directions.

On 23 July 2023, Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention issued a Red Flag Alert for genocide in Nagorno-Karabakh. On July 25, ICRC reported: “Despite persistent efforts, we are currently unable to deliver aid via the Lachin corridor & other routes, including Aghdam. With these convoys blocked, our concern is that the humanitarian situation will further deteriorate.”Freedom House issued a statement: “We urge Azerbaijan to allow @ICRC to provide vital humanitarian assistance to Nagorno Karabakh & immediately work to ensure freedom of movement by opening the Lachin corridor, guaranteeing unrestricted movement of individuals, vehicles & cargo.”

It is crucial that the United Nations Security Council takes the responsibility to protect the Armenian people of Nagorno-Karabakh from the ethnic cleansing as well as from genocide, which is actually underway through the forced starvation.

The Security Council shall particularly:

Pass a resolution that condemns the blockade and demands to urgently open the Lachin corridor for unimpeded movement of persons, vehicles and cargo, in line with the ICJ interim measure.

Take urgent measures to ensure international peacekeeping mandate inside Nagorno-Karabakh and Lachin corridor to ensure the security of the Armenian population beyond November 2025, i.e. the end of mandate of the Russian peacekeeping contingent, prescribed in November 10, 2020 trilateral statement, until the durable settlement of the conflict is achieved;

Request the UN Secretary General to commission a fact-finding mission to the region to assess the situation on the ground; and to appoint Secretary General’s Special Representative on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict to ensure longer-term presence in the region;

Request the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to deploy a fact-finding mission to Nagorno-Karabakh to assess the situation on the ground and present a comprehensive report to the UN Security Council; and to utilize all pertinent UN human rights mechanisms, including Special Advisors and Special Rapporteurs, to promptly generate reports on the human rights, humanitarian, and human security conditions in Nagorno-Karabakh.

Condemn Azerbaijan’s policy of ethnic hatred against Armenians, which puts at risk any efforts aimed at establishment of peace and security in the region.

Signed by:
Democracy Development Foundation
Transparency International Anticorruption Center NGO
Public Journalism Club NGO
Law Development and Protection Foundation
Protection of Rights without Borders NGO
Helsinki Citizens Assembly – Vanadzor
“For Equal Rights” NGO
“Peace Dialogue” NGO”



Demonstrators in Yerevan collect humanitarian aid for Nagorno-Karabakh, ask United Nations to deliver

Ekmekjian Janet

 16:15, 31 July 2023

YEREVAN, JULY 31, ARMENPRESS. A group of demonstrators in Yerevan has collected humanitarian aid for Nagorno-Karabakh and rallied outside the UN Armenia office Monday asking the organization to deliver it.

The demonstrators have launched a movement called Opening Initiative, aimed at lifting the blockade of Nagorno-Karabakh.

The initiative has three goals.

“First is the opening of Lachin Corridor, second to ensure the security, the unimpeded and indefinite use of the corridor, through which cargo shipments between Armenia and Artsakh will take place. Third, we are struggling for the rights of our countrymen of Artsakh, who are on the verge of a humanitarian disaster. By gathering here every day, we are showing that we stand with Artsakh 24/7,” said Narek Ayvazyan, a member of the Opening Initiative.

He said they’ve collected humanitarian goods which they are asking the UN to deliver through Lachin Corridor to Nagorno-Karabakh. The goods were collected since July 19th, and ten tons of goods have been collected so far. Ayvazyan said that the UN office is inquiring about the humanitarian cargo every day and the information is being relayed to the UN headquarters.

On July 31, the demonstrators blocked the entrance of the UN Armenia office for one hour in protest. “In this dreadful situation, we have hope that the more influential organizations such as the UN can impact the situation,” Ayvazyan added.

“The entire purpose of our civic pressure is that aside from being aware they should act,” said another member of the organization, pointing out the numerous conventions and declarations of the UN that ought to protect human rights everywhere around the world.

The demonstrators said their initiative is a movement aimed at generating an agenda of launching international mechanisms. If a single UN vehicle carrying aid were to enter Artsakh via Lachin Corridor it would become a precedent for the corridor to function properly, the demonstrators said.

Lachin Corridor, the only road connecting Nagorno Karabakh with Armenia and the rest of the world, has been blocked by Azerbaijan since late 2022. The Azerbaijani blockade constitutes a gross violation of the 2020 Nagorno Karabakh ceasefire agreement, which established that the 5km-wide Lachin Corridor shall be under the control of Russian peacekeepers. Furthermore, on February 22, 2023 the United Nations’ highest court – the International Court of Justice (ICJ) – ordered Azerbaijan to “take all steps at its disposal” to ensure unimpeded movement of persons, vehicles and cargo along the Lachin Corridor in both directions.  Azerbaijan has been ignoring the order ever since. Moreover, Azerbaijan then illegally installed a checkpoint on Lachin Corridor. The blockade has led to shortages of essential products such as food and medication. Azerbaijan has also cut off gas and power supply into Nagorno Karabakh, with officials warning that Baku seeks to commit ethnic cleansing against Armenians in Nagorno Karabakh. Hospitals have suspended normal operations.

Nagorno-Karabakh reiterates readiness for direct dialogue with Baku under international format

Ekmekjian Janet

 19:19, 1 August 2023

STEPANAKERT, AUGUST 1, ARMENPRESS. Nagorno-Karabakh authorities have reiterated readiness to discuss reasonable proposals on organizing meetings between their representatives and the authorities of Azerbaijan, the Nagorno-Karabakh foreign ministry told ARMENPRESS.

ARMENPRESS asked the Nagorno-Karabakh foreign ministry to comment on the media reports regarding a possible meeting between representatives of Stepanakert and Baku.

“While recognising the significance of public interest in both Artsakh and Armenia regarding the possibility of initiating a dialogue between Stepanakert and Baku, we believe it would be inappropriate to comment on specific meetings, which were cancelled due to reasons not related to us. We would like to emphasise that the authorities of the Republic of Artsakh have always been open to discussing reasonable proposals aimed at facilitating dialogue between representatives of Artsakh and Azerbaijan. Moreover, Artsakh, for its part, has consistently put forward initiatives and proposals aimed at arranging meetings between representatives of Artsakh and Azerbaijan, with the involvement of mediators. We firmly believe that the success of any dialogue relies on the sincere willingness and good faith of both parties to resolve their differences. There is such willingness on our part. If the Azerbaijani side also shows it, this will pave the way for the beginning of the dialogue. At the same time, we reiterate our position that dialogue between Artsakh and Azerbaijan should take place within an agreed international format, supported by an appropriate mandate. This approach will facilitate increased engagement of the international community in the negotiation process, bolster its legitimacy and sustainability, and ensure reliable guarantees for the implementation of potential agreements between the parties,” the Nagorno-Karabakh foreign ministry told ARMENPRESS.

Many int’l organizations, governments are united in assessing serious humanitarian situation in NK – FM spox

Ekmekjian Janet

 15:35,

YEREVAN, JULY 29, ARMENPRESS. Many international organizations, governments and international human rights advocates are united in assessing the serious humanitarian situation in Nagorno Karabakh and call for an end to the blockade of Lachin Corridor, Armenian foreign ministry spokesperson Ani Badalyan said on July 29.

In a tweet, Badalyan called on Azerbaijan to implement its obligation and not deviate from it.

“Many international organizations, governments, international human rights advocates are united in assessment of serious humanitarian situation in Nagorno Karabakh &in call to lift Lachin Corridor blockade as confirmed by ICJ and ECHR. Instead of deviating from its clear obligation, Azerbaijan should implement it,” Badalyan tweeted.

She also shared the previous statements made by Freedom House, Human Rights Watch and the ICRC calling on Azerbaijan to end the blockade.

Lachin Corridor, the only road connecting Nagorno-Karabakh with Armenia and the rest of the world, has been blocked by Azerbaijan since late 2022. The Azerbaijani blockade constitutes a gross violation of the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh ceasefire agreement, which established that the 5km-wide Lachin Corridor shall be under the control of Russian peacekeepers. Furthermore, on February 22, 2023 the United Nations’ highest court – the International Court of Justice (ICJ) – ordered Azerbaijan to “take all steps at its disposal” to ensure unimpeded movement of persons, vehicles and cargo along the Lachin Corridor in both directions.  Azerbaijan has been ignoring the order ever since. Moreover, Azerbaijan then illegally installed a checkpoint on Lachin Corridor. The blockade has led to shortages of essential products such as food and medication. Azerbaijan has also cut off gas and power supply into Nagorno-Karabakh, with officials warning that Baku seeks to commit ethnic cleansing against Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh. Hospitals have suspended normal operations.

Turkish Press: Azerbaijan urges countries fooled by ‘Armenia’s manipulation’ to respect its sovereignty

Ekmekjian Janet
Turkey –

Azerbaijan is calling on countries and international organizations that have made anti-Azerbaijani statements to respect its sovereignty and territorial integrity, especially concerning developments in Karabakh and the Lachin road.

“We demand that countries and international organizations that are deceived by Armenia’s manipulations and which make biased statements (instead) respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, not interfere in the internal affairs of our country, and to put an end to the policy of double standards,” Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Saturday.

The ministry said Azerbaijan has made proposals to meet the needs of Armenians in the region but the Armenian side has “opposed” these efforts and blocked “access to the territory by placing concrete barriers on alternative roads.”

“Armenian claims about the humanitarian situation are nothing than political blackmail and manipulation,” the Ministry said.

“The aim of Armenia is to bring third parties to the region, expand the geography of tensions, as well as to lead the peace process to a failure point,” it added.

“Azerbaijan will ensure the rights of Armenian residents living in its Karabagh region based on the country’s Constitution, and will resolutely prevent any step against its sovereignty and territorial integrity,” the ministry said.

Relations between the former Soviet republics of Armenia and Azerbaijan have been tense since 1991 when the Armenian military occupied Nagorno-Karabakh, now known as Karabakh, a territory internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan.

In 2020, Azerbaijan liberated several cities and over 300 settlements and villages that were occupied by Armenia, and the fighting ended with a deal brokered by Russia.

Despite ongoing talks on a peace agreement, tensions between the neighboring countries rose in recent months concerning the Lachin road, a land route giving Armenia access to Karabakh, as well as Azerbaijan’s establishment of a border checkpoint on the road.


https://www.yenisafak.com/en/world/azerbaijan-urges-countries-fooled-by-armenias-manipulation-to-respect-its-sovereignty-3667879





Azerbaijan’s illegal blockade of Lachin Corridor and Nagorno Karabakh complicates the negotiation process. FM Mirzoyan

Ekmekjian Janet

 19:18,

YEREVAN, JULY 25, ARMENPRESS. Azerbaijan’s illegal blockade of the Lachin Corridor and Nagorno Karabakh complicates the negotiation process, ARMENPRESS reports, Foreign Minister of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan stated on July 25 at the trilateral meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov, which took place in Moscow.

Mirzoyan emphasized that the meetings and negotiations are quite intense. On some issues there are concrete results, on some issues perspectives are visible where the parties can reach a mutual agreement, but there are also problematic issues on which the positions of the two sides are very far from each other.

“We are constructive and conduct negotiations on all platforms and in all directions. Alas, the situation in the world, in particular, Azerbaijan’s illegal blockade of the Lachin Corridor and Nagorno-Karabakh complicates the negotiation process,” the Armenian FM said.

He emphasized that there is now a serious humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh, and the situation is close to a real humanitarian disaster. “The situation is getting more serious hour by hour. Neither food nor medicine enters Nagorno-Karabakh, the supply of gas and electricity is stopped, and if we do not manage to find a solution and Azerbaijan does not stop the blockade of Nagorno-Karabakh, the humanitarian disaster will have a negative impact on the overall negotiation process. However, I repeat that the Armenian side is constructive. We will continue the negotiations,” the Armenian FM concluded.

Sergey Lavrov emphasized that Russia is interested in peace and stability in the South Caucasus.

“Our efforts are aimed at stabilizing the situation both on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, as well as solving humanitarian problems, unblocking economic and transport links, developing communication between people, civil societies, experts-political scientists,” he said.