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]