Why Do Russian Peacekeepers Restrict Entry to Artsakh? Explains Zakharova

We must ask ourselves what we want: to develop tourism in Artsakh or to achieve stable peace? This was stated today by the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, during a briefing, addressing the question of whether Russian peacekeepers have the authority to determine who is granted entry to Artsakh.

The journalist specified that this refers to individuals, for example, journalists arriving in Artsakh to cover the situation or tourists.

“The main issue is to achieve stable peace in Artsakh, the return of people, and the restoration of normal life. This is the primary problem. Russian peacekeepers are busy fulfilling their main tasks. They address all specific cases with the parties regarding allowing or denying people entry to Artsakh. All other issues in Artsakh will be resolved after achieving a solution to the main problem. There are also provocations and difficult situations here that fall outside any legal regulation. You know how complex and prolonged the issue of Artsakh has been; we all agree that there should be tourists, but there are real problems. Everyone has paid a high price for the agreements concerning Artsakh, and we should not deviate from the main issue,” she said.