The RA MFA has issued a statement regarding the Azerbaijani provocation in the Lachin Corridor.
The statement notes, in particular:
“On the morning of December 12, 2022, a group from the Republic of Azerbaijan, presenting themselves as environmental activists, set up tents near Shushi, blocking the normal and unimpeded movement through the Lachin Corridor, which was established by the trilateral statement of November 9, 2020, by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and the President of the Russian Federation, to ensure the connection between Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia.
The propagandistic preparations for closing the Lachin Corridor had begun months earlier, and it is evident that this provocation was organized by Azerbaijani state bodies, pursuing the goal of cutting off Nagorno-Karabakh from the Republic of Armenia and thus from the outside world.
As a result of this action, the residents of Nagorno-Karabakh have been deprived of the right to free movement, and Nagorno-Karabakh faces the impending threat of a food and humanitarian crisis.
The created situation is in direct contradiction with point 6 of the trilateral statement of November 9, 2020, according to which:
a) The Lachin Corridor is under the control of the Russian peacekeeping contingent in Nagorno-Karabakh,
b) The Republic of Azerbaijan guarantees the safety of the movement of citizens, vehicles, and cargo through the Lachin Corridor.
Thus, Azerbaijan is grossly violating its international obligation undertaken. Azerbaijan’s behavior not only makes evident its lack of intention to address the issue of the rights and security of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh and to engage in dialogue with Stepanakert for that purpose, but also once again testifies to the continuation of official Baku’s policy of subjecting Nagorno-Karabakh to ethnic cleansing.
The blockade of the Lachin Corridor is the practical expression of numerous alarms that Azerbaijan has adopted a policy of genocide against the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh. The periodic violations of the ceasefire regime and provocations by the Azerbaijani Armed Forces along the line of contact make the existential danger to the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh more tangible.
We emphasize that the unwavering implementation of international obligations, including the commitments undertaken by the trilateral statement of November 9, 2020, the renunciation of the use of force or the threat of force, the strict observance of the ceasefire regime, and the uninterrupted movement in the Lachin Corridor under the supervision of Russian peacekeepers are key to the political resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh issue, the establishment of lasting peace and stability in the region, and the peaceful coexistence of peoples.
We call the urgent attention of the entire international community, including the UN Security Council, the co-chairing and member countries of the OSCE Minsk Group, to the fact that Azerbaijan’s actions may lead to a large-scale humanitarian disaster. We emphasize the necessity of activating or reactivating international mechanisms for ensuring the rights and security of the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh, and for this purpose, we will begin consultations with international partners in the near future.”
