Saturday, August 12 2023 22:06

ArmInfo.The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic issued the following  statement: 

"The Russian Kommersant newspaper in an article titled "Artsakh vs.  Karabakh", citing an unnamed source in Russian state structures, has  informed about a proposal from the Russian Ministry of Foreign  Affairs to first open the road through Aghdam and then resume the  movement through the Lachin Corridor. What is the position of Artsakh  on this issue?

"The Republic of Artsakh has consistently maintained a principled  stance in addressing the acute humanitarian crisis stemming from the  unlawful blockade of the Lachin Corridor by Azerbaijan. This stance  is firmly grounded in both the provisions outlined in the Trilateral  Statement of 9 November 2020, specifically Article 6 of which clearly  defines the operational parameters and regime of the Lachin Corridor,  as well as the principles of international humanitarian law.

"It should be noted that any initiatives which seek to link the use  of the Lachin Corridor, and that in a restricted manner, with  unrelated matters or alternative routes, including through Aghdam,  are essentially attempts to legitimise Azerbaijan's breach of its  international commitments concerning the Lachin Corridor and to call  into question the Trilateral Statement signed by their country's  president on 9 November 2020.  This approach, put forward by  Azerbaijan, intentionally infringes upon the rights and dignity of  the people of Artsakh and stands in contradiction to the norms of  international humanitarian law and human rights law.

"We reiterate that the proposal regarding the use of alternative  transportation routes is part of Azerbaijan's policy aimed at  exploiting the humanitarian catastrophe it has created and the threat  of hunger as a weapon and a means to forcefully subjugate Artsakh and  its people.

"It should be also noted that the proposal from the Azerbaijani side  essentially aims to restrict the use of the Lachin Corridor solely  for the evacuation of patients in need of medical treatment in  Armenia, and possibly for extremely limited imports from Armenia into  Artsakh, subject to approval from Baku. By refusing to fully ensure  safe and unimpeded movement of persons, vehicles and cargo along the  Lachin Corridor in both directions and proposing alternative routes,  the Azerbaijani authorities consistently attempt to sever the  deep-rooted ties between the people of Artsakh and Armenia, with the  intention of depriving them of their identity, self-sufficiency, and  developmental opportunities. This initiative also seeks to undermine  the concept of the Lachin Corridor, a key element of a comprehensive,  fair and dignified conflict resolution.

"It's worth highlighting that neither the provisions of the  Trilateral Statement of 9 November 2020, nor the decisions of the  International Court of Justice dated 22 February and 6 July 2023,  envision any Azerbaijani presence in the Lachin Corridor or any  limitations on the movement of persons, vehicles and cargo in both  directions. It is noteworthy that on 28 February 2023, while in Baku,  the Russian Foreign Minister confirmed that the establishment of  checkpoints in the Lachin Corridor was not envisaged by the  Trilateral Statement."