Artsakh Republic State Minister, head of the Operational (rapid response) headquarters Ruben Vardanyan visited the Noragyugh, Khndzristan and Patara communities of the Askeran region, holding meetings with residents of the aforementioned villages and adjacent settlements. The State Minister was accompanied by Artsakh Republic Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructures Suren Galstyan, National Assembly “Armenian Revolutionary Federation” faction deputy Davit Ishkhanyan and head of the Askeran region administration Hamlet Apresyan:
Emphasizing direct contact with the population, Ruben Vardanyan noted that especially in this crisis situation, providing first-hand information to the population and listening to them is of primary importance from the perspective of jointly overcoming the crisis: “I think this is the most effective form of communication in Artsakh. We are indeed facing great difficulties, but great work is also being done to overcome them; we are trying to move forward by finding solutions to the new problems that arise every day.”
He presented detailed information about the current situation in the areas of food products, gasoline and diesel fuel, electricity and gas supply, the other consequences of the blockade and its impact on the economy, as well as the steps implemented and to be undertaken by the Operational headquarters.
The State Minister noted that work is being done by all means towards unblocking, but, on the other hand, the government is obliged to be prepared and, in the case of all possible scenarios, to ensure at least the minimum vital needs of the population.
Speaking about the causes of the blockade, he stressed that Azerbaijan is trying in every way to break the spirit of the Armenians of Artsakh and, through pressure, to achieve the depopulation of Artsakh, and noted that he feels proud seeing the endurance of the Armenians of Artsakh: “We are forced to go through these trials for the sake of keeping Artsakh Armenian and for the sake of defending the right to live with dignity on our land. This is a difficult path; I cannot promise that there will be no problems, but I assure you that this is the only path that allows us to preserve our homeland.”
In all three communities, the participants of the meetings assured that they see no alternative to that path, and for that purpose they are ready to withstand all difficulties. In this context, in particular, the need to organize agricultural and spring sowing work in a timely manner was discussed, which was also emphasized from the perspective of food security. The State Minister noted that everything possible will be done both to organize spring sowing work in a timely manner and to implement other programs aimed at the development of agriculture.
