20:30,
YEREVAN, AUGUST 11, ARMENPRESS. On August 11, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan had a telephone conversation with Tánaiste, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence of the Republic of Ireland Micheál Martin.
Minister Mirzoyan briefed his counterpart on the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh resulting from Azerbaijan's illegal blockade of the Lachin corridor highlighting that the situation is close to turning into a real humanitarian catastrophe, the foreign ministry said in a readout.
The Foreign Minister of Armenia emphasized that since June 15, Nagorno-Karabakh has been under a total blockade, under the conditions of which the fundamental rights of 120,000 people of Nagorno-Karabakh, including 30,000 children, are being grossly violated. Particularly the acute shortage of food and medicine was mentioned. Ararat Mirzoyan stressed that by such actions, Azerbaijan continuously demonstrates its real intention: to implement ethnic cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh.
Touching upon the principled positions of partners, including Ireland, voiced on international platforms so far, Ararat Mirzoyan stressed the importance of immediately lifting the blockade of the Lachin corridor in accordance with the legally binding Orders of the International Court of Justice of February 22 and July 6, as well as the need for consistent steps aimed at preventing the implementation of Azerbaijan's intentions.
During the telephone conversation, the interlocutors also touched upon the issues of the Armenia-EU partnership, including the activities of the EU Civilian Monitoring Mission in Armenia.
Commenting on the call, Micheál Martin then posted a statement on social media platform X, stressing that he had an important call with the Armenian foreign minister regarding the humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh, during which he reiterated the EU’s call for an immediate reopening of the Lachin Corridor and ensuring access of ICRC aid. Martin added that Ireland calls on everyone to participate in the comprehensive, sustainable peace talks.