“The European Union is deeply concerned about the serious humanitarian situation affecting the local population in the former Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast. The movement through the Lachin corridor remains obstructed for more than seven months, despite Orders by the International Court of Justice to reopen it”, - reads the statement by High Representative of the EU Josep Borrell.

“Medical supplies and essential goods are in short supply or have already run out, with dire consequences for the local population. It is incumbent on the Azerbaijani authorities to guarantee safety and freedom of movement along the Lachin corridor imminently and not to permit the crisis to escalate further. 

We took note of the expressed readiness of the Azerbaijani authorities to also supply goods via the city of Aghdam. This should not be seen as an alternative to the reopening of the Lachin corridor. The EU also notes that ICRC activities in the region have been heavily impacted and calls for their full resumption, including medical evacuations and humanitarian supplies. The EU stresses that humanitarian access must not be politicised by any actors.

The European Union, and in particular President of the European Council Charles Michel, has been heavily engaged in supporting the normalisation process between Armenia and Azerbaijan, as well as in promoting a dialogue between Baku and Stepanakert/Khankendi. This also requires the genuine commitment of all sides to negotiated outcomes and a future built on common interests and mutual trust”, - reads the statement.

İn turn a spoke person of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Aykhan Hajizade called the statement by Borrell  as “presented the situation in the region on the basis of false propaganda and political manipulations spread by the Armenian side”.

He noted that after the 44-day war, the armed forces of Armenia were not completely withdrawn from Karabakh, and Armenia used the Lachin road to carry out illegal activities, for the transfer of weapons and ammunition on the territory of Azerbaijan..

Similarly, it should be clear that a blatant misinterpretation of the well-known decisions of the International Court of Justice will not achieve anything. The July 6 decision, which reaffirmed Azerbaijan's right to control its borders and proved the groundlessness of Armenia's demand to remove the Lachin border checkpoint, once again showed that Azerbaijan's protection of its security is a legitimate measure.

“Despite protests against Armenia's illegal actions since December last year, hundreds of cars, including those of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), drove along the Lachin road during the day. Even after the establishment of the Lachin crossing point by Azerbaijan, border crossings in both directions during the day were ensured in a regulated and transparent manner. Despite the armed attack on the Lachin launch site on June 15, smuggling attempts, as well as the provocation of sending convoys called "humanitarian cargo" on July 26, the Azerbaijani side continued cooperation with the ICRC operating in the region. and organized the travel of Armenians for medical purposes, which made it possible to deliver medicines through the ICRC.

As for the delivery of larger cargoes to the territory of Azerbaijan, taking into account the threats from Armenia, he proposed using Agdam-Khankendi and other alternative routes. Despite the positive reception of this proposal by international partners, including the European Union and the ICRC, the Armenian side and persons posing as representatives of local Armenians are blocking it, blocking roads and preventing the transport of goods, speculation about a "tense humanitarian situation" is nothing more than political manipulation. proves that this is not so.

"In addition to adherence to its international obligations, Azerbaijan will resolutely suppress attempts to legalize illegal activities on its territory," Aykhan Hajizade said.

Source - Turan.az

27 July 2023 / 13:31