20:16,

YEREVAN, AUGUST 11, ARMENPRESS. Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus Constantinos Kombos has expressed full support to Armenia and has called on Azerbaijan to lift the blockade of Nagorno-Karabakh.

“Phone conversation with Armenian FM Ararat Mirzoyan on dire humanitarian crisis following the blockage of Lachin Corridor by Azerbaijan,” Kombos posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. “Reiterated Cyprus’ full support to Armenia and called Azerbaijan to lift the blockage in line with 2020 ceasefire statement & ICJ decision.”

The 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 supplies Nagorno Karabakh, with officials warning that Baku seeks to commit ethnic cleansing against Armenians in Nagorno Karabakh. Hospitals have suspended normal operations.

On July 26, Armenia sent a humanitarian convoy carrying emergency food and medication for Nagorno-Karabakh, but Azerbaijan blocked the trucks at the entrance of Lachin Corridor.