Author: Sonya Jalatian

 15:45, 6 September 2023

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 6, ARMENPRESS. The Azerbaijani authorities have once again falsely claimed that the Lachin Corridor is not blocked and there is no starvation in Nagorno-Karabakh, just days after the Azerbaijani authorities themselves infamously staged a publicity stunt by offering to send aid there, a move that was rejected and described in Nagorno-Karabakh as a method to subjugate them and mislead the international community.

Armenia’s Ambassador-at-Large Edmon Marukyan reacted to Hajiyev’s claims, asking why Azerbaijan was sending that “mysterious humanitarian aid” to Aghdam if it claims that there’s no blockade.

“During an interview with Arab News, Aliyev's assistant Hikmet Hajiyev said that the Lachin corridor is not blocked and there is no blockade in Nagorno Karabakh. By this, Azerbaijan wants to deceive the international community about the fact that the Lachin Corridor is illegally blocked, which has been confirmed by such renowned international organizations as Human Rights Watch, the UN Security Council and confirmed by the interim decisions of the UN International Court of Justice that the corridor is blocked and the people are starving. After all, if the Lachin Corridor is not blocked and there is no siege and hunger in Nagorno Karabakh, as Aliyev's aide claims, then why did Azerbaijan send that mysterious humanitarian aid to Aghdam?” Marukyan said in a post on X.

Lachin Corridor, the only road connecting Nagorno-Karabakh, which is home to 120,000 Armenians, 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.

Armenia has accused Azerbaijan of using the blockade to commit ethnic cleansing and genocide in Nagorno-Karabakh.

 12:02, 4 September 2023

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 4, ARMENPRESS. Azerbaijan still hasn’t responded to Armenia’s new proposals on a peace treaty, Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan told reporters Monday.

“As far as I know we still haven’t received a response regarding the latest proposal,” Grigoryan said when asked whether or not there’s been a reaction by Azerbaijan to the offers.

On August 25, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced that Armenia has conveyed to Azerbaijan new proposals on a peace treaty.

 11:20, 2 September 2023

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 2, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan has released a statement on the 32^nd anniversary of the adoption of the declaration of independence of Nagorno-Karabakh.

“Dear people, dear compatriots,

“32 years ago on this day, the joint session of the deputies of all levels of the Nagorno Karabakh Autonomous Region and Shahumyan region, referring to the right to self-determination, made a decision on the adoption of the declaration of independence of Nagorno Karabakh.

“During that period, the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh witnessed the massacres of Sumgait, Baku, and Kirovabad, and the adoption of the declaration of independence was also conditioned by an existential threat.

“As a result of the 44-day war, even today, our compatriots living in their homeland, Nagorno-Karabakh, face the threat of ethnic cleansing as a result of Azerbaijan's policy, due to the illegal blocking of the Lachin Corridor, the stop of supplies of essential food, gas and electricity.

“The international community is also witnessing the ongoing processes, and the UN Security Council discussions on Nagorno-Karabakh also noted the existence of a humanitarian crisis in Nagorno Karabakh and the fact that the lives and security of 120,000 people of Nagorno-Karabakh are in doubt. At the same time, it was emphasized that the decisions of the International Court of Justice of February 22 and July 6, 2023 on ensuring uninterrupted movement of people, vehicles and cargo in both directions through the Lachin Corridor have not been fulfilled by Azerbaijan.

“We expect the international community to make efforts to prevent the implementation of the policy of ethnic cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh.

“I would like to emphasize once again that all statements about the non-existence of Nagorno-Karabakh as a territorial entity and that the Nagorno-Karabakh issue is resolved are groundless, unless the issues of security and protection of the rights of NK Armenians are irrevocably addressed.

“Armenia, Nagorno Karabakh and the international community clearly record that the comprehensive and long-term settlement of the conflict should take place exclusively through the peace process, including the Baku-Stepanakert dialogue under the international mechanism.

“Dear compatriots, we remember all our heroes martyred for the Motherland and bow before them.

“The Republic of Armenia will continue its efforts to ensure normal life, security and protection of rights in Nagorno-Karabakh. Today, we express our appreciation to all our compatriots of Nagorno-Karabakh, and our task is to ensure their inalienable right to live and create in peace through peaceful, civilized means, through negotiations,” Pashinyan said in the statement.

 13:51, 2 September 2023

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 2, ARMENPRESS. The Azerbaijani authorities have again falsely accused Armenia of opening gunfire on the border, the Armenian Ministry of Defense said Saturday.

“The statement disseminated by the MoD of Azerbaijan that allegedly on September 2, at around 11:00 a.m., units of the Armenian Armed Forces discharged fire from mortars against the Azerbaijani combat positions located in the eastern part of the border, is another disinformation. The Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan is creating an information basis in order to continue the provocation,” the Armenian Ministry of Defense said.

 15:40,

YEREVAN, AUGUST 31, ARMENPRESS. Nagorno-Karabakh State Minister’s Advisor Artak Beglaryan has resigned.

Beglaryan resigned after State Minister Gurgen Nersisyan was dismissed Thursday by President Arayik Harutyunyan, who himself announced he would step down on Friday.

 10:50,

YEREVAN, AUGUST 28, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ararat Mirzoyan has visited the Debeli Rtič health resort and medical center during his visit to Slovenia.

Accompanied by Samuel Žbogar, the State Secretary for political and multilateral affairs, economic diplomacy and development cooperation at the Slovenian Foreign Ministry, FM Mirzoyan toured the center and became acquainted with its activities and the program envisaged for Armenian children. The Austrian Ambassador to Slovenia and a representative of the Slovenian Red Cross were also present during the tour.

The Debeli Rtič center is accepting 17 children from Armenian border towns from August 26 to September 3 as part of a program implemented with support from Slovenian ITF (Enhancing Human Security), the Slovenian Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs and the Permanent Representation of Austria in the OSCE.

The program is implemented in continuation of the 2022 autumn project when 11 Armenian children underwent medical rehabilitation in the center within the framework of a psychological-social support program for children affected by the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

 11:27,

YEREVAN, AUGUST 19, ARMENPRESS. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has called on decision-makers to find a compromise and make it possible to resume urgently needed humanitarian deliveries to blockaded Nagorno-Karabakh.

“The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) remains the only humanitarian organization operating across the Lachin corridor to respond to growing humanitarian needs. The latest deliveries of medical supplies occurred July 7, while the latest delivery of food occurred June 14. The ICRC is urging decision-makers to find a compromise and make it possible to resume urgently needed humanitarian deliveries,” the ICRC said in a statement.

The 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.

 18:46,

YEREVAN, AUGUST 16, ARMENPRESS. The Azerbaijani military opened gunfire on August 16 at Armenian positions near Norabak, a village in Gegharkunik Province, the defense ministry said in a statement.

“On August 16, at around 5:30 p.m., Azerbaijani armed forces units fired from fire arms towards the Armenian combat outposts in the vicinity of Norabak,” the defense ministry said.

 23:44,

YEREVAN, AUGUST 16, ARMENPRESS. The Azerbaijani Defense Ministry has falsely accused the Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) Defense Army of carrying out reinforcement work in the Shushi region, the Nagorno-Karabakh Ministry of Defense has warned.

“The Azerbaijani Defense Ministry’s statement claiming that Defense Army units carried out reinforcement work around 19:40, August 16 in the Shushi region, which was allegedly prevented by actions of the Azerbaijani armed forces, is another disinformation. It is obvious that by continuously disseminating fake news Azerbaijan is preparing information basis for its next provocations,” the Nagorno-Karabakh Defense Ministry said in a statement.