Statements and messages of the Prime Minister of RA

As a result of Azerbaijan's illegal blockade of the Lachin Corridor, the humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh remains extremely tense. Prime Minister

22.12.2022

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At the beginning of the Cabinet session, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan referred to the situation in the Lachin Corridor and noted:

"Dear participants of the Cabinet meeting,

Dear people,

Since last week, the crisis created in the Lachin Corridor has not been resolved, except perhaps for one thing: the supply of natural gas to Nagorno Karabakh has been restored.

The humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh remains extremely tense as a result of Azerbaijan's illegal blockade of the Lachin Corridor. Hundreds of families remain divided, finding themselves on different sides of the blockade. Shortage of a number of essential goods, including food is observed in Nagorno-Karabakh.

Azerbaijan's actions of closing the Lachin Corridor are illegal and grossly violate its international obligations, in particular, the provisions of the trilateral declaration of November 9, 2020. According to point 6 of the declaration, as I have said many times, the Lachin Corridor is under the control of the peacekeeping troops of the Russian Federation in Nagorno-Karabakh, and the Republic of Azerbaijan guarantees the safety of the movement of citizens, vehicles and cargo through the Lachin Corridor. This provision is not being actually implemented today.

De facto, it turns out that the peacekeeping troops of the Russian Federation also do not fulfill their obligation recorded in the trilateral declaration, that is, to keep the Lachin Corridor under control. Of course, this happens as a result of Azerbaijan's illegal actions, but this does not change the situation, because the main purpose of the presence of the peacekeeping troops of the Russian Federation is to prevent such an illegality from happening and, in particular, to keep the Lachin Corridor under control.

Dear colleagues,

At the previous Cabinet meeting, I noted the importance of our collective efforts aimed at increasing the international visibility of Azerbaijan's illegal blockade of the Lachin Corridor. And we see that the humanitarian crisis created around Nagorno Karabakh has received quite a large international response.

Yesterday, a discussion of key importance took place at the UN Security Council on this issue. Different countries and international organizations continue to give a clear assessment of the situation. I want to thank all the countries and international organizations that gave a clear assessment. I also thank those organizations and individuals, professional groups of Armenia and Diaspora who are making efforts to increase the international visibility of the situation created around the Lachin Corridor.

We should increase our joint efforts in this direction. The role of the international community in the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh issue should increase significantly. We should actively work towards sending a UN or OSCE or OSCE Minsk Group fact-finding mission to Nagorno Karabakh and Lachin Corridor.

I should also note that during this period, Azerbaijan continues its attempts to accuse Armenia of not fulfilling its obligations. Such attempts are futile and baseless, and I have touched on this topic many times. In addition, I must say that the Republic of Armenia has forwarded its proposals on the peace treaty to Azerbaijan, and we are ready to sign the treaty with that content. I hope Azerbaijan's reaction will be positive as well.

I should also note that during this period, Azerbaijan continues its attempts to accuse Armenia of not fulfilling its obligations. Such attempts are futile and baseless, and I have touched on this topic many times. What’s more, I must say that the Republic of Armenia has forwarded its proposals on the peace treaty to Azerbaijan, and we are ready to sign the treaty with that content. I hope Azerbaijan's reaction will be positive as well.

The Armenian side forwarded to Azerbaijan its proposals related to the further work of the committee on border delimitation and security issues months ago, but we have not received any answer to date. The Republic of Armenia has conveyed to Azerbaijan its proposals regarding the re-opening of regional communications and is ready to go that way for an immediate solution to the issue. The Republic of Armenia forwarded its proposals on guaranteeing border security to Azerbaijan months ago, but we have not received any answer to date. I should also say that these proposals include the solution of the problem of the occupied territories of the Republic of Armenia. Our position remains the same, that Azerbaijan should stop the occupation of the sovereign territories of the Republic of Armenia, and its troops should be withdrawn from the sovereign territory of the Republic of Armenia.

Dear participants of the Cabinet meeting,

Dear compatriots,

Despite all difficulties and complications, we continue our efforts to reach comprehensive solutions, to ensure peace and stability. No matter how much we understand the complexity of this mission, this does not change our attitude and purposefulness.

Thank you."

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