ArmInfo.The ongoing blockade by Azerbaijan requires not only the adoption of decisions on urgent issues, but also forces us to organize work in a new way, since new challenges can only be countered by well-coordinated and team work. State Minister of the Republic of Artsakh, Head of the Operational Headquarters Ruben Vardanyan stated this at an expanded meeting with the participation of the leadership of state bodies.
In this situation, he considered discipline and transparent work to be the key importance. Ruben Vardanyan noted that although the Azerbaijani side is trying in every possible way to show the world that there is no blockade, yesterday's incident with the transport of children from Goris to Stepanakert, accompanied by Russian peacekeeping forces, proves the opposite. "There was an unacceptable incident that confirmed that the road remains closed. An attempt was made through peacekeepers to return the children who were separated from their families for about six weeks, but we saw that even in this case, the Azerbaijanis allowed themselves to get into the car transporting the children, film them on camera. This is an obvious crime that has caused a lot of stress to the children," the official said. Speaking about the reasons for the blockade, the state minister noted: "This is a political blockade, it's not just a blockade of the road. Azerbaijan's goal is to destroy the subjectivity of Artsakh. The struggle is for subjectivity."
Vardanyan explained to the government members his approach to the situation. "I clearly say that our goal is to have an independent Artsakh, which should be safe and developed. This is a very important goal, which is very difficult to achieve. But I believe that this is the only way, and I have come to do my best to achieve this goal. The only way to succeed is our unity, and yes, I will work together with those who agree with my principles. We are now at a point where we have no right to fail," the state minister said.
Assessing the current situation, he noted that it is extremely complex, since the old system and mechanisms do not work in a crisis condidions and it is necessary to think over the formation of a new, more efficient system with flexible solutions that respond to a crisis.
The meeting also discussed the problems that arose in a number of areas as a result of the blockade, and measures aimed at ensuring the livelihoods of the population in these conditions.
It should be noted that yesterday, a group of Azerbaijanis participating in the blockade of the only road connecting Artsakh with the outside world broke into a bus carrying children from Goris to Stepanakert. The children could not return home for 37 days due to the actions of Azerbaijani eco-terrorists. And on November 17, the peacekeepers organized their return home.