17:13, 4 August 2023
YEREVAN, AUGUST 4, ARMENPRESS. Javier Colomina, the NATO Secretary General's special representative for the South Caucasus and Central Asia has expressed serious concern over the deteriorating situation around Lachin Corridor.
“Deeply troubled by the deteriorating situation surrounding the Lachin corridor. Key to ensure freedom of movement & address pressing humanitarian needs. NATO encourages all stakeholders to redouble efforts towards reaching a negotiated agreement,” the NATO Secretary General’s envoy for South Caucasus said in a post on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.
Lachin Corridor, the only road connecting Nagorno-Karabakh to 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. The ICJ reaffirmed its order on 6 July 2023.
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.