Discussion on Alternative Routes and PM Pashinyan's Statements in Artsakh

The authorities of the Republic of Artsakh have discussed the issue of alternative routes, and they have had the opportunity to express their opinions on it, without bypassing the topic of security for the remaining Armenian-populated settlements. This was stated by Lucine Avanesyan, the press secretary of the President of Artsakh, in response to Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's statements made during the recent press conference.

On June 27, Pashinyan announced during an online press conference that in the event of a change in the route (as Azerbaijan has begun work on a road bypassing Berdzor), territories that were not part of the former Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast would come under Azerbaijani control. "Well, you know, we are addressing the problems of the residents of Berdzor and Lachin through government decisions. And, of course, the residents must be provided with housing. We are discussing these issues with the authorities of Artsakh today. Currently, no families are residing in Lachin, and we have solved their issues through government decisions. I believe the problems of the residents of Agavno village will also be resolved through the resources of the Artsakh government," Pashinyan stated.

He also mentioned that he could not say anything regarding the village of Sus: "The principle is whether it is located within or outside the administrative region of the former NKAO." Regarding the territories to be transferred to Azerbaijani control that were not part of the former NKAO, Avanesyan gave a cautious reply: "The Republic of Artsakh is not a party to the trilateral statement. Therefore, in the current conditions, our task is to do everything possible for the protection of the lives and rights of the citizens of the Republic of Artsakh, both before and after the redeployment of Russian peacekeepers."

When asked if any preparatory work has begun to evacuate residents from Agavno, Lachin, and the sections of the Armenian Kashatagh region that remain under Armenian control, the press secretary of the President of Artsakh responded: "Residents are still in their places. And we have talked about managing to resolve all issues related to alternative routes." On the clarifying question regarding the position of Artsakh authorities on transferring non-NKAO areas to Azerbaijani control, Lucine Avanesyan replied: "As I have already stated, please limit yourselves to that."