Monday, January 30 2023 14:11

ArmInfo.We are in a humanitarian crisis. The blockade has been going on for 47 days  (already 50 days, ed. note). We have no opportunity get out of  Artsakh. State Minister of the Republic of Artsakh Ruben Vardanyan  stated this in an interview with the France TV within the framework  of the "Le Monde de Loison" program, presenting the events unfolding  around Artsakh.

He stated that children cannot go to school because there is no gas,  electricity is limited - only a few hours a day. "We have some food  supplies that we distribute by coupons, but now it's cold, it's  winter, and the situation is really dangerous for 120,000 people who  have been in blockade for 47 days," he said.

To clarify whether he agrees that this is ethnic cleansing, Vardanyan  noted that this is a clear policy of ethnic cleansing and forced  resettlement.

"The fact is that they want to deprive us of the right to live in our  country. But Artsakh is our historical heritage. We have the right to  live where Armenians have lived for generations for thousands of  years. And President Aliyev clearly said that he sees Artsakh without  Armenians, noting that those who want to leave can leave. This is  unacceptable, because this is not only ethnic cleansing, but also a  warning that we will not allow Armenians to remain in Artsakh with  their culture and traditions. They do not want to accept that  Armenians are different, have their own values and laws. This is also  a violation of fundamental human rights. This is an absolute  violation of our right to self-determination with the threat of  ethnic cleansing.  Azerbaijan is a country where the rights of its  own people are violated. This is a country where one family has been  in power for 45 years, a country where people are poor and only a  small group of rich people controls all oil and gas revenues,  dictates to us how we should live under their control. This is  unacceptable," the NKR state minister stressed.

Regarding the sending of the European Civil Mission to the region,  Vardanyan recalled that the mission was sent not to Artsakh, but to  the border with Armenia. "I see the mission of the Europeans, Russia  and other countries in opening an air corridor for us. The most  important mission and step to help us will be an air route that will  allow us to deliver humanitarian goods to Stepanakert. Otherwise, we  will always have a problem getting food and other necessary things  through the land route controlled by Azerbaijan," the official said.

In order to clarify what he would like to ask the French President,  Vardanyan stated that first of all he wants to thank President Macron  for the fact that he was really on the side of the Armenian people,  the people of Artsakh.  "Secondly, I would like to say that the duty  of the president of one of the most civilized countries in the world  is to consistently put pressure on a country that has no idea of  human rights and humanitarian values.  Despite all the difficulties,  President Macron needs to continue the pressure and engage the entire  French public to show Europe that they cannot be indifferent, that  theymust put pressure on a state in which there is neither law nor  democracy. It is necessary to unblock the road, provide an air  corridor for humanitarian transportation and, finally, recognize the  independence of Artsakh. Our struggle for the past 35 years is aimed  at this goal, which is the guarantee of long-term peace in the  region," the NKR state minister believes.

To clarify whether he has connections with Russian President Vladimir  Putin, and why the Russian Federation does not fulfill its  obligations under the tripartite statement of November 9, 2020,  Vardanyan said that Russia is carrying out a peacekeeping mission.  "We all know that peacekeepers are few in number - 2,000 people - and  have a limited mandate to stop civil activists who call themselves  "eco-activists." Russia played an important role in bringing peace to  Artsakh in November 2020, when the document was signed.

I understand that this is a very complex situation, and there are  many parties pursuing different interests.  However, I believe that  Russia, France and the United States, which are the co-chairing  countries of the OSCE Minsk Group, can unite around this conflict and  really put a lot of pressure on Azerbaijan, and not separately, but  together. Because I believe that this is a problem where the  interests of such large countries as the USA, France and Russia  coincide - to save democracy, to save a small nation that has lived  on its own land for thousands of years. Therefore, I do not see any  contradiction in the fact that Russia, France and the United States  are putting a lot of pressure on Aliyev and his regime," he said.

To clarify whether he has contacts with Vladimir Putin and whether he  has access to the Russian president, Vardanyan noted that he does not  have access to the Russian leader.  "I am under siege when people  have a lack of food, no electricity. I am with my people, who have  really been fighting for independence for 35 years. And I have no  access to anyone, because I am in a blockade in Stepanakert. This  situation has already put me, as the Minister of State, under a great  responsibility to be on the side of my people," Vardanyan concluded.