15:52,

YEREVAN, JULY 21, ARMENPRESS. Secretary of the Security Council Armen Grigoryan on Friday met with the Russian Foreign Minister’s Special Envoy for Supporting the Normalization between Armenia and Azerbaijan Igor Khovaev.

Grigoryan and the Russian official discussed “the situation around Nagorno Karabakh and underscored that the rights and security of the Armenian population of Nagorno Karabakh are a priority and must be protected,” Grigoryan’s office said in a readout.

Speaking about the Azerbaijani blockade of Lachin Corridor, which constitutes a violation of the 9 November 2020 trilateral statement, Grigoryan stressed the need for Azerbaijan to implement its obligations.

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 and the Red Cross has been facilitating the medical evacuations of patients.