Arminfo.info



 Wednesday, June 7 2023 09:23
Marianna Mkrtchyan

Armenian Ambassador: Azerbaijan`s illegal steps to close Lachin  corridor aggravate regional situation and create ground for new  aggression

Armenian Ambassador: Azerbaijan`s illegal steps to close Lachin  corridor aggravate regional situation and create ground for new  aggression

ArmInfo. It is obvious that the complete blocking of the Lachin corridor by Azerbaijan is aimed at  the consistent implementation of its policy of ethnic cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh and the realization of the policy of completely emptying Nagorno-Karabakh of Armenians. Armenian Ambassador to Iran  Arsen Avagyan stated this in an interview with Rahbord-e Moaser" in response to the question why Azerbaijan seeks to close the Lachin crossing.

Below is the full text of the interview, which is available on the  "Rahbord-e Moaser" news analysis website.  Contemporary strategy:  After the siege of Lachin Pass, tensions are on the  riseNagorno-KarabakhIt got deeper. How do you evaluate the  probability of new encounters in this field?

Avagyan: On April 23, the Republic of Azerbaijan established a  checkpoint in violation of Article 6 of the November 9, 2020  statement and officially blocked the Lachin crossing located in the  area of responsibility of the Russian peacekeeping forces. This  action was taken while the Azerbaijani side had illegally blocked the  crossing since December 12, 2022, under fake environmental pretexts.   Undoubtedly, the aim of this action of the Azerbaijani side is ethnic  cleansing and the realization of the policy of completely emptying  Nagorno-Karabakh of Armenians. These actions are realized despite the  explicit declarations of the international community and especially  the judgment issued and enforceable this year by the international  court.  These illegal actions of the Republic of Azerbaijan cause  tension in the region and provide a suitable platform for widespread  use of force and violence. Also, the Azerbaijani side continues its  aggression against the territories under the official rule of the  Republic of Armenia. The proof of this claim is the artillery and  mortar attacks of the Azerbaijani military units on April 11 and 12  of this year against the Armenian positions in Sotek, Got, and Upper   Shurzhai.  The Armenian side has always declared its commitment and  adherence to the establishment of peace and security in the region,  but Yerevan's position does not meet with a proper response in Baku,  which continues its aggressive and non-constructive policies. We  believe that the purpose of these actions is to fail and not get  results from the negotiation process and increase tension in the  region.  Contemporary strategy: Not long ago, negotiations between  Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan were held with the mediation  of the United States. How do you evaluate the result? Does the  American mediation not contradict the initiatives taken by the  Islamic Republic of Iran?

Avagyan: Negotiations are conducted at several levels. In recent  days, negotiations were held in Washington and Brussels, and on May  19, a meeting was held between the foreign ministers of Armenia and  Azerbaijan. Ararat Mirzoyan and Jihun Bayramov held talks in  Washington from May 1 to 4 and met with Anthony Blinken, the  Secretary of State, and Jake Sullivan, the US Vice President and  National Security Advisor.  The Ministers of Foreign Affairs of  Armenia and Azerbaijan expressed their views on the current situation  and presented their positions in relation to the resolution of  existing issues. The two sides had progress and understanding  regarding some articles of the bilateral agreement "Establishment of  peace and relations between the two governments" and at the same time  they emphasized that there is no convergence in some positions on the  core issues.  On May 14, a tripartite meeting was held in Brussels  between Nikol Pashinyan , Charles Michel, the President of the  European Council, and Elham Aliyev, the President of Azerbaijan, and  the issues related to the removal of the threat to regional transport  and economic infrastructure, border demarcation and maintaining  border security were held in Brussels. The two countries, the  agreement to establish relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan, the  need to pay attention to the rights and security of the people of  Nagorno-Karabakh , as well as the issue of prisoners, missing  artifacts and other humanitarian issues were discussed.  It is  necessary to emphasize this issue, the Armenian side is fundamentally  against the conflict of interests of different forces and the  creation of tension and clashes in the region. In addition, in our  opinion, the joint efforts of colleagues are interested in  establishing peace and security in the South Caucasus, which will  eventually lead to solving problems and resolving existing conflicts.   In this context, the Republic of Armenia attaches great importance to  declaring the clear position of the Islamic Republic of Iran at the  highest possible level regarding the sovereignty and territorial  integrity of the Republic of Armenia .  Contemporary strategy: For  some time now, in some media, there have been articles about the  dissatisfaction of the Republic of Armenia with the Russian  peacekeeping forces. What is your position in this field?

Avagyan: The Republic of Armenia has officially announced its  concerns in this regard, and the tripartite statement of November 9,  2020 has also clearly defined the scope of responsibilities of the  Russian peacekeeping forces.  Despite this, since the signing of the  statement, we have seen cases of violations in this field, the most  obvious example of which is the illegal blocking of Lachin crossing.  First, under the fake name of "Environmental Activists" and then  since April 23, this process has been continued by the armed forces  of Azerbaijan.  As stated, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia  has asked Russia in this regard to fulfill its duties by removing the  illegal blockade of the crossing and withdrawing the Azeri forces  from the security strip of the Lachin crossing.  The Ministry of  Foreign Affairs of Armenia has also asked the member states of the  United Nations with the Charter of International Security to clearly  react to the measures that undermine regional security by Azerbaijan  and in line with the unequivocal implementation of the Supreme  International Assembly's decision. do an action Contemporary  strategy: How is the process of negotiations between Armenia and  Turkey followed?

Avagyan: The current process of normalizing relations between Turkey  and Armenia started at the end of 2021. With the aim of normalizing  the relations between the two countries, the special representatives  of Armenia and Turkey have met four times, and high-level contacts  have been made  between the leaders of Armenia and Turkey, the  ministers of foreign affairs and the presidents of the national  assemblies of the two countries.  In the shadow of the normalization  of relations between Armenia and Turkey, direct flights between the  two countries have been resumed, and the previous problems in the way  of air cargo transportation have been resolved.  In addition,  agreements have been made to open the land border to citizens of  third countries and persons with political passports. Unfortunately,  Ankara has taken a step back and prevented Armenian Airlines planes  from passing through Turkish airspace. In any case, the Armenian side  is very hopeful that the existing problems will be resolved quickly  and that all agreements reached will be realized.  Armenia, with a  very high understanding of the fear and terror resulting from natural  disasters and remembering the destructive earthquake of 1988 in the  city of Spitak, did not take a passive position regarding the  February 6th earthquake in the southeast of Turkey.  Following the  phone conversation between the Armenian Prime Minister and Turkish  President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on February 7, the members of the  Armenian Intelligence and Rescue Team were dispatched to the  earthquake-hit area and played their role in eliminating the  consequences of the earthquake well by saving human lives.  In those  days, the Armenia -Turkey land border was opened after decades of  blockade, by which Armenia sent shipments of humanitarian aid to  Turkey on two occasions. On February 15th of this year, the foreign  ministers of Armenia and Turkey reached an agreement in Ankara in  order to use a joint effort to rebuild the Ani bridge located on the   border of Armenia and Turkey.  Contemporary strategy: The Armenian  side has protested many times about the destruction of Armenian  cultural heritage by the Republic of Azerbaijan . Historical and  religious works of Armenians in Trkiye are also not in a good  condition. Considering that the Islamic Republic of Iran has not  spared any efforts to protect Armenian historical monuments, how do  you evaluate the attitude of the three countries regarding this  issue?

Avagyan: When it comes to the Armenian cultural heritage, it is  impossible not to appreciate the compassionate attitude of the  Iranian government towards the Armenian historical heritage. Dozens  of churches and other famous buildings have been restored  with the  assistance of the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran .  The  leadership of the Republic of Armenia and all Armenians are grateful  and support the friendly nation of Iran. Iran's compassion towards  Armenian culture is a witness and document of civilizational  relations and thousands of years of historical dependence of two  governments and governments. Also, the document of this claim is the  reconstruction of the Gohar Agha Mosque in the city of Shushi with  the assistance of the Iranian side before the 44-day war.  Despite  this, Azerbaijan's policy of brutalizing Armenian historical  monuments is quite clear and, unfortunately, it is not a new issue.  In the not-so-distant past, the rulers of Azerbaijan, with extreme  measures, destroyed the medieval Jolfa hermitage on the banks of the  Aras River in Nakhchivan. Until the 20th century, there were hundreds  of Armenian monuments and historical buildings in Nakhchivan, but  today all of them have been destroyed.  Azerbaijan continues its  criminal policy in Nagorno-Karabakh. Everything that is possible is  destroyed, but when it comes to famous works whose destruction will  probably have a wide reflection, Azerbaijan hides its Armenian  identity and attributes it to "Albanian architecture" born of its own  thinking.  The arrogance of the Azerbaijani side in this action has  reached such an extent that the President of Azerbaijan orders the  removal of Armenian writings from the walls of the church in front of  the cameras. It is worth mentioning that Azerbaijan has not allowed  UNESCO to enter Nagorno-Karabakh.  The Azerbaijani side constantly,  especially in organizations where Armenia is not present, tries to  make the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict look religious and introduce  Armenia as an enemy of Islam and abuses the sensitive ideology of  Islamic unity and solidarity, and fake documents about the  destruction of a number of mosques in Nagorno-Karabakh by the party   Armenia offers.  Parallel to the policy of destruction and  destruction of Armenian cultural heritage, Azerbaijan is trying to  apply the same policy to Iran. Especially that last year and in the  framework of the "Supreme Session of the European Parliament",  Azerbaijani representatives present in Yerevan called the Blue Mosque  of Yerevan an Azerbaijani mosque by spreading false announcements,  and also at the highest government level in Baku, continuous efforts  are being made to introduce famous Iranian writers as poets.  Azerbaijanis have done and continue to do.

POST A COMMENT
Input digits     

News
Idram and VIVA Fund for Armenians of ArtsakhIdram and VIVA Fund for Armenians of Artsakh
Nagorno Karabakh Armenians` rights and security must be  internationally guaranteed - Alen Simonyan Nagorno Karabakh Armenians` rights and security must be  internationally guaranteed - Alen Simonyan 
Lebanese Armenians hold protest in front of Azerbaijani Embassy in  Beirut Lebanese Armenians hold protest in front of Azerbaijani Embassy in  Beirut 
Decree dissolving Republic of Artsakh signed as a result of  Azerbaijan`s aggression - Artak BeglaryanDecree dissolving Republic of Artsakh signed as a result of  Azerbaijan`s aggression - Artak Beglaryan
U.S. Department of State spokesperson refrains from commenting on the  Artsakh president`s decree dissolving Republic of ArtsakhU.S. Department of State spokesperson refrains from commenting on the  Artsakh president`s decree dissolving Republic of Artsakh
Less than 40,000 Armenians remain in Nagorno-Karabakh Less than 40,000 Armenians remain in Nagorno-Karabakh 
Canada provides $2.5 mln in humanitarian assistance funding ICRC to  address urgent needs of forcibly displaced people from  Nagorno-Karabakh Canada provides $2.5 mln in humanitarian assistance funding ICRC to  address urgent needs of forcibly displaced people from  Nagorno-Karabakh 
EU watches as Azerbaijan achieves the goal of ethnic cleansing -  German MPEU watches as Azerbaijan achieves the goal of ethnic cleansing -  German MP
USAID administrator USAID administrator "spent more on photographers for her visit to  Armenia than on USAID programs in Artsakh" - ANCA
Spain to allocate EUR 1 million to help refugees from  Nagorno-KarabakhSpain to allocate EUR 1 million to help refugees from  Nagorno-Karabakh
U.S. to deploy  response team in South CaucasusU.S. to deploy  response team in South Caucasus
AMD 100,000 to be allocated to each of those forcibly displaced from  Artsakh - PMAMD 100,000 to be allocated to each of those forcibly displaced from  Artsakh - PM
Armenia`s CEC approves lists of political forces in Yerevan Council  of EldersArmenia`s CEC approves lists of political forces in Yerevan Council  of Elders
Nothing should distract from issue of providing Armenians of Artsakh  with decent life in Armenia - Armenia`s 1st President Nothing should distract from issue of providing Armenians of Artsakh  with decent life in Armenia - Armenia`s 1st President 
Anahit Manasyan: Information about kidnapping of our citizens by  Azerbaijan has been sent to international partnersAnahit Manasyan: Information about kidnapping of our citizens by  Azerbaijan has been sent to international partners
Armenian opposition resumes protestsArmenian opposition resumes protests
Armenia`s decision to ratify Rome Statute to have most negative  consequences for Armenian-Russian relations - Russian Foreign OfficeArmenia`s decision to ratify Rome Statute to have most negative  consequences for Armenian-Russian relations - Russian Foreign Office
Opinion: Russian peacekeepers to remain on Nagorno-Karabakh territory  at least until 2025Opinion: Russian peacekeepers to remain on Nagorno-Karabakh territory  at least until 2025
Over 70 thousand people have already been forcibly displaced from  Artsakh to ArmeniaOver 70 thousand people have already been forcibly displaced from  Artsakh to Armenia
Former Artsakh State Minister is free and safeFormer Artsakh State Minister is free and safe
Armenians have suffered continuous ethnic cleansing and genocide -  Nassim TalebArmenians have suffered continuous ethnic cleansing and genocide -  Nassim Taleb
Mass media on EU sanctions against Azerbaijan amid ethnic cleansing  in Nagorno-Karabakh - `Sanctions looks unlikely`Mass media on EU sanctions against Azerbaijan amid ethnic cleansing  in Nagorno-Karabakh - `Sanctions looks unlikely`
Kremlin: Armenia is acting extremely hostile towards Russia as it  plans to accede to Rome StatuteKremlin: Armenia is acting extremely hostile towards Russia as it  plans to accede to Rome Statute
Serzh Sargsyan: For me, Artsakh`s chapter will never be closedSerzh Sargsyan: For me, Artsakh`s chapter will never be closed
Search operations in Nagorno-Karabakh: remains of 11 people found Search operations in Nagorno-Karabakh: remains of 11 people found 
Ministry of Health of Armenia calls on citizens to donate bloodMinistry of Health of Armenia calls on citizens to donate blood
Azerbaijan must guarantee the rights of ethnic Armenians in  Nagorno-Karabakh - Morris Tidball-BinzAzerbaijan must guarantee the rights of ethnic Armenians in  Nagorno-Karabakh - Morris Tidball-Binz
There will be no more Armenians left in Nagorno Karabakh in coming  days - Armenia`s premier There will be no more Armenians left in Nagorno Karabakh in coming  days - Armenia`s premier 
Armenia intends to ratify Rome Statute of International Criminal  CourtArmenia intends to ratify Rome Statute of International Criminal  Court
Baku arbitrarily detains Armenians at checkpoints. Issue should be  resolved properly - PashinyanBaku arbitrarily detains Armenians at checkpoints. Issue should be  resolved properly - Pashinyan
Armenia proposes to Russia to conclude bilateral agreement regarding  Rome Statute - KirakosyanArmenia proposes to Russia to conclude bilateral agreement regarding  Rome Statute - Kirakosyan
Mel Gibson on situation in Artsakh: We are witnessing modern genocideMel Gibson on situation in Artsakh: We are witnessing modern genocide
Armenian government to allocate AMD 360 million to regional  administrations for needs of Nagorno- Karabakh forced migrantsArmenian government to allocate AMD 360 million to regional  administrations for needs of Nagorno- Karabakh forced migrants
Yerevan applies to ECHR with request to protect Ruben Vardanyan`s  rightsYerevan applies to ECHR with request to protect Ruben Vardanyan`s  rights
96 US Senate and House lawmakers call on Biden Administration to  sanction Azerbaijani leaders for Artsakh blockade and attacks 96 US Senate and House lawmakers call on Biden Administration to  sanction Azerbaijani leaders for Artsakh blockade and attacks 
Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) to cease to exist from January  1, 2024  Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) to cease to exist from January  1, 2024  
Nagorno-Karabakh presidential advisor ready to turn himself in to  Azerbaijani law-enforcersNagorno-Karabakh presidential advisor ready to turn himself in to  Azerbaijani law-enforcers
CE Committee of Ministers holds extensive discussion on Azerbaijan`s  military attack on Nagorno- KarabakhCE Committee of Ministers holds extensive discussion on Azerbaijan`s  military attack on Nagorno- Karabakh
Over 65,000 people flee Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia Over 65,000 people flee Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia 
People fleeing Nagorno-Karabakh because attacked by Azerbaijani  military - Edmon Marukyan  People fleeing Nagorno-Karabakh because attacked by Azerbaijani  military - Edmon Marukyan  
Armenian premier, French president have telephone conversation Armenian premier, French president have telephone conversation 
Public Voice party`s condition acceptable for Hayk Marutyan Public Voice party`s condition acceptable for Hayk Marutyan 
FMs of Armenia, Turkey discuss current regional developmentsFMs of Armenia, Turkey discuss current regional developments
Azerbaijani media report  cessation of Karabakh Telecom activities in  ArtsakhAzerbaijani media report  cessation of Karabakh Telecom activities in  Artsakh
Nikol Pashinyan meets with leaders of extra-parliamentary political  forcesNikol Pashinyan meets with leaders of extra-parliamentary political  forces
Diplomatic source: Armenian Foreign Ministry is dealing with issue of  consular access to former Minister of State of Artsakh Ruben  VardanyanDiplomatic source: Armenian Foreign Ministry is dealing with issue of  consular access to former Minister of State of Artsakh Ruben  Vardanyan
More than 50.000 of 120.000 residents of Artsakh have already been  forcibly moved to ArmeniaMore than 50.000 of 120.000 residents of Artsakh have already been  forcibly moved to Armenia
Spanish FM: Alarmed by growing number of Armenians fleeing their  homes in Nagorno-KarabakhSpanish FM: Alarmed by growing number of Armenians fleeing their  homes in Nagorno-Karabakh
Zakharova: We see with what destructive fanaticism Americans  manipulate YerevanZakharova: We see with what destructive fanaticism Americans  manipulate Yerevan
Only 10% of 42,500 forcibly displaced people decide to make use of  Armenian government`s assistance Only 10% of 42,500 forcibly displaced people decide to make use of  Armenian government`s assistance 
18 civilians including 6 children killed in Azerbaijan-launched  aggression against Artsakh - Arman Tatoyan18 civilians including 6 children killed in Azerbaijan-launched  aggression against Artsakh - Arman Tatoyan
Artsakh Defense Army soldier`s actions refute thesis about Artsakh Defense Army soldier`s actions refute thesis about "inability  of resistance" of Armenian people. - expert
Zakharova responds to Macron`s accusations against Russia:  `Storyteller`!Zakharova responds to Macron`s accusations against Russia:  `Storyteller`!
German FM calls for deployment of international observers in  Nagorno-Karabakh, substantial increase of humanitarian assistance German FM calls for deployment of international observers in  Nagorno-Karabakh, substantial increase of humanitarian assistance 
Zakharova: situation in Nagorno-Karabakh remains difficult, to put it  mildlyZakharova: situation in Nagorno-Karabakh remains difficult, to put it  mildly
Moscow avoids commenting on Aliyev`s ambitions for Armenian Zangezur,  calling to leave this issue to historiansMoscow avoids commenting on Aliyev`s ambitions for Armenian Zangezur,  calling to leave this issue to historians
High Fest festival organizers issue statementHigh Fest festival organizers issue statement
Zakharova urges not to pay attention to those who make extremist  statements question Russian-Armenian relationsZakharova urges not to pay attention to those who make extremist  statements question Russian-Armenian relations
Russia will protect rights of Ruben Vardanyan,  Peskov saysRussia will protect rights of Ruben Vardanyan,  Peskov says
Ruben Vardanyan was detained by Azerbaijani border guards - media  reportsRuben Vardanyan was detained by Azerbaijani border guards - media  reports
Read more



Commented