Negotiations Are Underway Between Russian Peacekeepers and Azerbaijan, Artsakh Also Involved: Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister

Attempts to blockade Nagorno-Karabakh are being made in the area under the responsibility of Russian peacekeepers, and it is within the primary mandate of the peacekeepers to resolve this issue. This was stated today, December 13, in an interview with ‘Azatutyun’ by Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Vahe Gevorgyan, addressing the actions taken by Azerbaijan to block the Lachin corridor since yesterday.

The Deputy Minister noted that negotiations are currently underway between Russian peacekeepers and Azerbaijan, emphasizing that the authorities of Artsakh are also involved in resolving the issue.

Gevorgyan mentioned that there are no negotiations on this matter between the foreign ministries of Armenia and Azerbaijan. “In fact, there has been a serious violation of the trilateral statement of November 9 by Azerbaijan, which should be addressed to all sides of the trilateral statement. Regarding the legal aspects of the issue, there is a broad violation of international humanitarian law and international human rights law taking place, which is nothing less than an attempt at collective punishment against the people of Nagorno-Karabakh, clearly condemned by all international humanitarian laws. To deprive people of free movement, daily supplies of food and other necessary items, and to deprive not just 1-2 individuals, but to infringe upon collective rights, is also a serious violation legally, which could serve as an early warning of ethnic cleansing and genocide,” declared the Deputy Minister.

When asked what steps the Armenian Foreign Ministry is currently taking, he responded, “Specific actions are being undertaken not only by the foreign ministry but also at all levels. Yesterday, there was a phone conversation between the Prime Minister of Armenia and the President of Russia regarding overcoming the created situation. We are informing our international partners about the current situation at the level of the foreign policy agency, and more, you will soon witness Armenia addressing this situation from the highest levels.”

Regarding why the mandate of Russian peacekeepers is not being implemented here, Vahe Gevorgyan said, “The situation is evolving; saying that the Russian peacekeepers are not using their mandate is currently premature. I believe they are making efforts to rectify the situation. Primarily, negotiations are underway between Russian peacekeepers and Azerbaijan. The authorities of Artsakh are also engaged with the Russian peacekeepers in resolving this issue.

There are currently no negotiations on this matter between the foreign ministries of Armenia and Azerbaijan. The situation is continually evolving; one thing is undeniable: the road must be opened because it is a gross violation of both political commitments and legal obligations and cannot continue.”

It should be noted that the only road connecting Armenia to Artsakh has been blocked for more than 24 hours. Azerbaijanis, who have closed the corridor near Shushi, refer to themselves as independent environmentalists and have set up tents right in the middle of the road. The road is also closed to ambulances.