16:27, 28 July 2023

YEREVAN, JULY 28, ARMENPRESS. The situation in Nagorno-Karabakh continues to deteriorate as a result of the ongoing total blockade of the Lachin Corridor by Azerbaijan, Deputy Foreign Minister Vahan Kostanyan said at a meeting with members of the diplomatic corps of Armenia in Kornidzor.

“120,000 residents of Nagorno-Karabakh are factually besieged for over 220 days beginning 12 December. Human rights are violated in Nagorno-Karabakh, the right to life, right to education, right to healthcare. It’s difficult to imagine that something like this could happen in the 21st century. And it is difficult to imagine the international community not uniting efforts in such conditions to try and resolve the deteriorating humanitarian crisis with a united front. These seven months showed that Azerbaijan not only ignores the international community’s calls on opening the Lachin Corridor, but is also displaying explicit disregard for the UN International Court of Justice 22 February and 6 July rulings, according to which Azerbaijan must ensure unimpeded passage of persons, vehicles and goods along the Lachin Corridor in both directions, precisely how it is envisaged under the 9 November 2020 statement, which is also signed by the President of Azerbaijan,” Kostanyan said.

Azerbaijan is trying to mislead the international community, falsely claiming that the Lachin Corridor is open, and presents the rare movement of vehicles of the Red Cross and the Russian peacekeepers as attempted corroboration to this false claim.

The humanitarian convoy sent by the Armenian government which is unable to cross into Lachin Corridor from Kornidzor is direct evidence that the Lachin Corridor is blocked and Azerbaijan’s previous statements have been lies.

Kostanyan noted that it would be difficult to consider Azerbaijan’s latest statements as constructive ones.

“Basically, the statements made by the authorities of Azerbaijan and the actions they take show that there is a clear goal to create conditions incompatible with life for the people living in Nagorno-Karabakh, which in turn will lead to ethnic cleansings. I believe that this can’t anyhow be acceptable for the civilized society in the 21st century. And I hope you will clearly convey to your capitals everything you saw here today. And we hope that all capitals will make relevant statements and actions, which will allow to immediately unblock free and unimpeded movement along Lachin Corridor,” Kostanyan told the foreign ambassadors.

[see video]

 17:05, 28 July 2023

YEREVAN, 28 JULY, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 28 July, USD exchange rate down by 0.14 drams to 386.22 drams. EUR exchange rate down by 5.64 drams to 424.57 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate down by 0.04 drams to 4.25 drams. GBP exchange rate down by 4.20 drams to 496.33 drams.

The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals.

Gold price down by 268.99 drams to 24155.92 drams. Silver price up by 4.12 drams to 310.56 drams.

 17:15, 28 July 2023

YEREVAN, JULY 28, ARMENPRESS. The United States on Friday reiterated Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s call for an immediate reopening of the Lachin corridor to commercial and private traffic.

U.S. Acting Deputy Chief of Mission John Allelo was among the members of the diplomatic corps to travel to Syunik on Friday, the U.S. Embassy said in a statement. 

“Acting DCM John Allelo joined the diplomatic corps in Syunik and heard from displaced persons and regional officials about the suffering caused by continued blockage of the Lachin corridor. We reiterate Secretary Blinken’s call for an immediate reopening of the corridor to commercial and private traffic,” the US Embassy said in the statement.

Representatives of the diplomatic corps in Armenia visited on Friday the village of Kornidzor in the Syunik Province where a humanitarian convoy carrying emergency food and medical aid to Nagorno-Karabakh remains blocked by Azerbaijan at the entrance of Lachin Corridor.

The members of the diplomatic corps took stock of the situation on the ground.

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.

 17:44, 28 July 2023

YEREVAN, JULY 28, ARMENPRESS. An article published by the Azerbaijani AzerNews media outlet has been strongly condemned by StopAntisemitism, a US-based organization fighting and exposing anti-Semitism.

“StopAntisemitism is horrified to see a newspaper in Azerbaijan publish this. Adolf Hitler massacred 6 millions Jews and 5 million others. The word “humanist” and his name do not belong in the same sentence. Shame on you AzerNews,” StopAntisemitism tweeted after the Azeri media outlet published the anti-Armenian article with the outrageous headline ‘Hitler is more humanist than any Armenian leader in history’.

Armenia’s Permanent Representative to the Council of Europe Arman Khachatryan, reacting to the headline, called on the Council of Europe to urge Azerbaijan to take decisive measures to cease state-sponsored hate speech, racial, ethnic and religious intolerance towards Armenians.

 “This is deplorable display of hate speech, clearly racist content and praisal of Nazism. Council of Europe should urge Azerbaijan to take decisive measures to cease state sponsered hate speech, racial, ethnic&religious intolerance towards Armenians,” Khachatryan tweeted.

 18:10, 28 July 2023

YEREVAN, JULY 28, ARMENPRESS. Representatives of the diplomatic corps in Armenia visited on Friday the village of Kornidzor in the Syunik Province where an Armenian humanitarian convoy carrying emergency food and medical aid to Nagorno-Karabakh remains blocked by Azerbaijan at the entrance of Lachin Corridor.

Azerbaijan refuses to let through the relief convoy, falsely accusing Armenia of provocation.

The members of the diplomatic corps took stock of the situation on the ground.

Diplomats from the following countries and representatives of the following organizations visited Kornidzor: United States, Belarus, Bulgaria, Spain, Italy, Iran, Iraq, Poland, Lithuania, India, UK, Switzerland, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Ukraine, France, United Nations, ICRC.

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.

On July 25, the Government of Armenia said that it will try to send over 360 tons of flour, cooking oil, sugar, and other foodstuffs and medication to Nagorno-Karabakh to mitigate the humanitarian crisis resulting from the blockade of Lachin Corridor. Armenia requested the Russian peacekeepers in Nagorno-Karabakh to escort the aid. Armenia has also requested Azerbaijan to not obstruct the convoy.

On Thursday, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said Azerbaijan would only corroborate Armenia’s fears that Baku seeks to commit genocide in Nagorno-Karabakh if the convoy gets blocked.

 18:20, 28 July 2023

YEREVAN, JULY 28, ARMENPRESS. Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić has ‘strongly reiterated’ her previous calls to restore the free movement along the Lachin corridor.

In a statement released Friday, Burić expressed ‘extreme concern’ about the ‘serious humanitarian and human rights situation’ in Nagorno-Karabakh.

 “I am extremely concerned about the serious humanitarian and human rights situation in Nagorno-Karabakh and my thoughts go to the residents who are bearing the brunt of this situation. I strongly reiterate my previous calls to restore the free movement along the Lachin corridor. I draw attention to the interim measures indicated by the European Court of Human Rights concerning the Lachin Corridor seven months ago. I also call on both sides to engage in a genuine dialogue with a view to rapidly ensuring free and safe passage through the Lachin corridor. This dialogue should lead as well to de-escalating tensions and restoring peace, also in line with the commitments undertaken by Armenia and Azerbaijan upon acceding to the Council of Europe more than 23 years ago,” Burić said in the statement.

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.

An Armenian humanitarian convoy carrying emergency food and medical aid to Nagorno-Karabakh remains blocked by Azerbaijan at the entrance of Lachin Corridor for the second day.

 19:24, 28 July 2023

YEREVAN, JULY 28, ARMENPRESS. Cyprus has condemned the ongoing blockade of the Lachin Corridor and expressed deep concern about the humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh.

“Cyprus condemns the ongoing blockade of the Lachin Corridor and is deeply concerned with the humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh. Azerbaijan must urgently lift the blockade and guarantee safety and freedom of movement, in line with the 2020 ceasefire statement and ICJ decision,” the Foreign Ministry of Cyprus tweeted on July 28.

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.

 19:30, 28 July 2023

YEREVAN, JULY 28, ARMENPRESS. The Premier League of Armenia starts on July 29, within which the Football Federation of Armenia and IDBank will cooperate in a new format.

“As you know, IDBank is the general sponsor of the Football Federation of Armenia. Now the organizations are expanding the scope of cooperation. FFA and IDBank also agreed to cooperate within the Armenian Premier League. Thus, the Armenian Premier League in the upcoming season will be called the IDBank Premier League,” IDBank announced on July 28.

 President of the Football Federation of Armenia Armen Melikbekyan noted: “We have been cooperating with IDBank for several months. Now we are expanding the scope of cooperation. I am confident that together we will be able to increase interest in the Armenian Premier League and the development of Armenian club football.”

According to Mher Abrahamyan, Chairman of the Board of IDBank, they hope that the cooperation between IDBank and the FFA will increase interest in football among even wider masses of the population and increase the recognition of Armenian football in the world. “We are glad that during our cooperation our guys won powerful victories. We hope that this championship will also be successful, and our teams will achieve even greater success,” Mher Abrahamyan notes.

 IDBANK IS CONTROLLED BY THE CBA

 19:55, 28 July 2023

YEREVAN, JULY 28, ARMENPRESS. The new French Ambassador to Armenia Olivier Decottignies has presented the copy of his credentials to Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan.

FM Mirzoyan congratulated Ambassador Decottignies on assuming office and expressed certainty that he will make all efforts for maximally developing the relations between the two countries, in line with the current special nature of the ties, the ministry said in a readout.

The sides underscored the high level political dialogue between Armenia and France, the active mutual visits and regular contacts in high formats, which contribute to finding new areas of partnership in the current situation full of challenges.

The Foreign Minister and the French ambassador also discussed the programs of bilateral agenda, addressing the implementation of the 2021-2026 Roadmap of Armenian-French Economic Cooperation , and expansion of cooperation with the French Development Agency and in the areas of culture and education.

Speaking about Armenia’s vision of peace and stability in the region, FM Mirzoyan underscored the need for clear actions by, and continuous involvement of, actors interested in this issue.

 20:26, 28 July 2023

YEREVAN, JULY 28, ARMENPRESS. German lawmakers have called for an immediate reopening of the Lachin Corridor, which has been blocked by Azerbaijan for nearly 8 months, resulting in a humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh.

“The Lachin Corridor must be opened,” Member of the Bundestag Renata Alt (FDP) tweeted. “The fact that even the transfer of humanitarian aid by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) from Armenia to Nagorno-Karabakh has become impossible is unacceptable. It is necessary to pressure Azerbaijan so that the situation doesn’t escalate,” Alt, the chairwoman of the Bundestag Committee on Human Rights and Humanitarian Aid added. 

Robin Wagener, a Member of the Bundestag and Coordinator for Intersocietal Cooperation with the Southern Caucasus, the Republic of Moldova and Central Asia at the Federal Foreign Office of Germany said that he is following the humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh with deep concern. “All actions must be based on the welfare of the local population, and we must be guided by this. This includes the guarantee of uninterrupted and safe routes of transport of persons and goods, including of Lachin Corridor,” Wagener, who heads the Bundestag delegation to the OSCE PA, tweeted.

Member of the Bundestag Merle Spellerberg, a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee and rapporteur on South Caucasus of the Alliance 90/The Greens faction, underscored that “any blockade of the Lachin Corridor by Azerbaijan must immediately end.”

“Human lives cannot become geopolitical levers,” Spellerberg added.

Representatives of the diplomatic corps in Armenia visited on Friday the village of Kornidzor in the Syunik Province where an Armenian humanitarian convoy carrying emergency food and medical aid to Nagorno-Karabakh remains blocked by Azerbaijan at the entrance of Lachin Corridor for the second day.

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.

On July 25, the Government of Armenia said that it will try to send over 360 tons of flour, cooking oil, sugar, and other foodstuffs and medication to Nagorno-Karabakh to mitigate the humanitarian crisis resulting from the blockade of Lachin Corridor. Armenia requested the Russian peacekeepers in Nagorno-Karabakh to escort the aid. Armenia has also requested Azerbaijan to not obstruct the convoy.

On Thursday, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said Azerbaijan would only corroborate Armenia’s fears that Baku seeks to commit genocide in Nagorno-Karabakh if the convoy gets blocked.