Travel to Artsakh via Karvachar Must Be Possible: The Blockade is Unacceptable

The newspaper "Hayots Ashkhar" has spoken with independent MP Taguhi Tovmasyan:

– Ms. Tovmasyan, residents of the Drmbon community organized a protest yesterday, demanding the opportunity to use the Vardenis-Martakert road section. As a member of parliament elected from Gegharkunik Province, what information do you have about this, and what possibilities are there for the reactivation of the Karvachar roadway?

– To be honest, I was very encouraged by the actions of the Artsakh people, as they are calling for the unblocking of Artsakh, following the logic of the document signed on November 9. If we are talking about eliminating the blockade and the opportunities for free economic relations after the war, then Artsakh must also be unblocked and not remain solely reliant on the narrow Lachin corridor.

I want to mention that in Vardenis and the surrounding communities, in Chambarak and Martuni, there are many people who work in Artsakh in both the mining sector (including in the mine located in Drmbon) and in construction. Now they have to traverse several hundred kilometers via the Goris-Lachin route to reach their workplace, instead of the former 80 kilometers.

Many people tell me, "What should we do, Ms. Tovmasyan? Should we also block other roads to make our voices heard?" I have asked my compatriots not to take drastic measures, to wait, as I have personally discussed the issue at the highest level and am awaiting responses.

– Do you believe it is possible to reactivate the Vardenis-Martakert road to Artsakh?

– Personally, after reading the document regarding the ceasefire and the transfer of part of our homeland to Azerbaijan under peaceful conditions, I experienced a human tragedy and could not believe that anything could change from then on. However, after November 10, when I met with the Prime Minister of Armenia, the President of Armenia, the Ambassador of Russia to Armenia, and other high-ranking officials, I have consistently voiced the urgent necessity of activating the Karvachar road.

I insist that if there exists even a single point from which we can operate and unblock Artsakh, we must immediately begin dialogue in bilateral and trilateral formats. That roadway should be operational, even under the escort of Russian peacekeepers, as their role is critically important in ensuring the security of Artsakh and the safety of those traveling to Artsakh.