Saturday, July 29 2023 12:25

ArmInfo. Even the humanitarian world ignores the situation in Artsakh, political and public figure and  coordinator of the Artsakh Security and Development Front, co-founder of the We Are Our Mountains regional development agency Ruben Vardanyan said in an interview with Swiss Impact with Banerjis. 

For seven months Artsakh has not received any humanitarian aid.  Electricity and gas supplies are disrupted, and Artsakh is using its  own resources. Until June 15, at least Russian peacekeepers and the  Red Cross were allowed to deliver humanitarian aid and medicines to  Artsakh. However, the road was blocked and Artsakh is now totally  blockaded. No one can move anywhere or purchase anything. Only  Artsakh's own resources enable people to live on, but the situation  is extremely dangerous, Mr Vardanyan said. 

The Swiss Impact with Banerjis programme moderators, Sveta and Ben,  say that none of western media outlets is discussing the situation in  Artsakh. 

Mr Vardanyan stressed that the International Court of Justice ordered  Azerbaijan to open the corridor.  However, the present-day world is  ignoring decisions by highest-level international organizations.  

Artsakh has an airport and proposes opening an air corridor that  would enable humanitarian aid to be delivered.  Artsakh, and Artsakh  could ask the world, particularly Switzerland, or other countries, to  deliver humanitarian aid to the local population. He recalled that  120,000 people, including 30,000 children and 20,000 old people, are  living in Artsakh now. What is going on is a folly, and the world is  pretending not to see it, Mr Vardanyan said.  

He hopes  many people, including influential investors, will see the  programme. Mr Vardanyan highlights a need for pressure on  international organizations and governments. Children need food, they  have a right to life. No one has the right to stop supplying  essential goods to innocent people, he said.  

As to diplomatic mechanisms, Mr Vardanyan recalled the latest  meetings between the Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders and President  of the European Council Charles Michel in Brussels, as well as  meetings in Moscow. 

Regrettably, the discussions did not produce any solutions.  Azerbaijan is resorting to false rhetoric.  Azerbaijan proposed  humanitarian aid, but Artsakh rejected it as it mistrusts Azerbaijan.  Aid is impossible from people keeping on announcing their intention  to kill Armenians, Mr Vardanyan said. 

Despite al the challenges, Artsakh has remained Armenian. One clan  has for 44 years been in power in Azerbaijan. It is an authoritarian  regime, not democracy. Oil and gas is huge money. But it is not  something stable for forming a stable society. In this context, Mr  Vardanyan expressed confidence that Artsakh will get assistance from  other nations. 

He calls for exerting pressure on all governments and organizations  in Europe, USA, Russia and other areas for them to render assistance  instead of ignoring the conflict, which could put an end to one of  the most ancient Christian settlements, heritage of a people that has  been living here for thousands of years. 

The full interview is available here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMdSu9z9DhI