ArmInfo.The United States is deeply concerned that the Lachin corridor has been closed for more than 30 days, creating severe shortages of food, medicine and other supplies in Nagorno-Karabakh. These facts are indisputable. United States Ambassador to the OSCE Michael Carpenter stated during his speech at the Special Permanent Council in Vienna.
"We call on Azerbaijan and Russia to restore unhindered transit immediately in keeping with prior commitments, which clearly include guarantees, as you have quoted, for the "security of persons, vehicles and cargo moving along the Lachin Corridor in both directions." The ongoing disrupted passage of private and commercial traffic on the Lachin road could have severe humanitarian consequences for the people living in Nagorno- Karabakh," the American diplomat noted, while expressing his gratitude to the International Committee of the Red Cross for providing critical aid. At the same time, he called on Azerbaijan to ensure the individual rights, safety, and well- being of the population living in this area are respected. "All OSCE participating States have an obligation to protect the safety of persons on their territory without regard to ethnicity. "
The American diplomat added that he was looking forward to a substantive discussion on the recommendations of the Polish Chair's Needs Assessment Team under the stewardship of North Macedonia.
"The OSCE and its various institutions are well placed to assist Armenia and Azerbaijan based on our comprehensive approach to security and anchored in our values, principles, and commitments. We have an extensive toolkit that could be utilized in this conflict and we should discuss how we can do so. The United States calls on Azerbaijan and Armenia to reengage in meaningful negotiations to resolve their disputes. A comprehensive peace agreement is the only true path to long-lasting peace based on normalization of relations and mutual recognition. We also call on Azerbaijan and Armenia to investigate alleged atrocities and to hold perpetrators accountable," the diplomat stressed. In conclusion, Carpenter noted that the United States looks forward to working with North Macedonia and the OSCE to improve security for all people in this region.
"We will continue to work with Azerbaijan and Armenia bilaterally, multilaterally through partners such as the European Union, and through international organizations like the OSCE to reach a comprehensive and sustainable settlement for this conflict," the diplomat concluded.