Infocom

A working group has been created in Azerbaijan for issues related to the return of Azerbaijanis who lived in "West Azerbaijan" - Aliyev

A working group has been formed in Azerbaijan, the scope of which will be the issues related to the return of Azerbaijanis who lived in the so-called "Western Azerbaijan". This was announced by the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev during the press conference. It should be noted that the President of Azerbaijan has repeatedly said in his speeches of different years that current Armenia is "ancient Azerbaijani land", especially mentioning Syunik, Yerevan, and Sevan and emphasizing that now they are "not Azerbaijani due to historical injustice". By "Western Azerbaijan" he means the territory of the Republic of Armenia. "We have started work. Those deported from "West Azerbaijan" should return to their homes. A working group has been created in connection with this," Aliyev said.

17:45 - 10 January, 2023

I am counting on the CSTO, it’s another thing that it can disappoint - Pashinyan

Today, during Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's press conference, one of the journalists recalled Pashinyan's words, according to which the Turkish-Azerbaijani military exercise is a threat to Armenia. "At the same time, you say that the CSTO military exercise in RA was not appropriate in such a situation. It is assumed that the CSTO exercise was supposed to be a threat to the Turkish-Azerbaijani tandem. The question arises as to what is not appropriate, and whether the actions of your Government on this background do not give grounds for making claims that, for example, your government is pursuing a policy of fear or a policy of begging for peace," the journalist asked. Responding, Pashinyan said: "There was an answer in your question. Let's just take the text of your question as a starting point. You say that the CSTO exercise in Armenia would be a threat to the Turkish-Azerbaijani tandem, so why don't you do the exercise in Armenia? For a very simple reason. I am answering based on your text. The CSTO came, created a threat for the Turkish-Azerbaijani tandem, then said goodbye, we left. Did you imagine that situation? We say: let's understand what is the area of responsibility of the CSTO, and then build our relations institutionally and deeply. When the CSTO does not say what its area of responsibility is, it is a fundamental problem for us. It does not record where the red line passes. Sotk does not pass through Khoznavar, it does not pass by Jermuk. Before we know it, we will be in that situation, we will invite, we will say: let's create a threat for the Turkish-Azerbaijani tandem, for two days, rest on the third day, go to your business on the fourth day, we will go to rebuke that tandem." Speaking about fear, Pashinyan said that we should act as responsibly as possible. "Vazgen Sargsyan used to say: I am afraid of those who are not afraid of anything. We must act with maximum responsibility. There are threats, there are opportunities, there are relations, we have to deal with all that. As for begging for peace, I agree that you can't have peace by begging, you can have peace by earning it. There is a saying that it is possible to have peace by forcing peace, our experience has shown that it does not work either, but that peace must be earned, that is obvious." In his opinion, peace can be achieved first of all by changing the viewpoints to a certain extent, correctly assessing the situations and realities, taking maximally calculated steps, increasing the role and visibility of Armenia in the international arena, changing relations in the region with a higher level of institutional establishment of Armenia. "We can have peace if we are able to establish tolerant relations with Turkey and Azerbaijan, form a field of certain agreements and develop our relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran and Georgia. This is the peace formula and the resources of the international community that can help us in this matter, these resources and opportunities should be used." To the question: "You do not rely on the CSTO, but you believe in the normalization of relations with Azerbaijan and Turkey", Pashinyan answered: "I am counting on the CSTO, but it's another thing that it can disappoint. And I believe in the normalization of relations with Azerbaijan and Turkey for one reason, because before doing anything, you have to believe in it somehow, if you don't agree, why are you doing it, if we don't agree, why are we negotiating? Experience shows that negotiation for form does not lead to a good place."

14:59 - 10 January, 2023

Peskov commented on Pashinyan's statement about not conducting a CSTO peacekeeping exercise in Armenia

The CSTO will clarify the details of Armenia's position, according to which it is not going to conduct military exercises of the organization in 2023, Russian President's press secretary Dmitry Peskov told reporters, commenting on Nikol Pashinyan's words that CSTO peacekeeping exercises will not be held in Armenia this year. "This is a fairly new statement by the Prime Minister of Armenia, I think that the CSTO partners will be in touch and clarify the details of Armenia's position," the Kremlin spokesman said. "In any case, Armenia is our very close ally, we will continue the dialogue, including the issues that are very difficult now," Peskov assured.

14:47 - 10 January, 2023

"The Republic of Armenia is the guarantor of the security of Nagorno-Karabakh, the Russian Federation is the guarantor of the security of Armenia." - Pashinyan about RA being the guarantor of Artsakh's security

During the negotiations, we show no ambition to decide the fate of Nagorno-Karabakh, the fate of the Nagorno-Karabakh people, I said back in 2018 that this is a wrong formula. The Nagorno-Karabakh people should have a decisive role in that fate." RA Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said this during a press conference. RA Prime Minister reminded that they are also negotiating direct negotiations between NK and Azerbaijan. Referring to Armenia being the guarantor of the security of Artsakh, Pashinyan reminded that the RA and RF defense ministers signed the mandate of the Russian peacekeepers, he said that this is how Armenia fulfills its role as a guarantor of security. "If we go further, the Republic of Armenia is the guarantor of the security of Nagorno Karabakh. Let's try to form a syllogism like this - the guarantor of the security of the Republic of Armenia is the Russian Federation. I already said that we were guided by this formula. If RA could ensure its security with this logic, the fact that Russia is the guarantor of RA's security would not be the basis of our security," added Pashinyan. He noted that it is necessary to look at how well the formulas acceptable to all reflect the reality. "Our main problem is that our speeches and our goals very often have no connection with reality, or the connection is weak. And this leads to crises. According to Pashinyan, their task is to have a new perspective of reality and from there to check and reflect on perceptions and how true they are. "We are also ready to discuss the accusations." Speaking about his culpability in the war, the RA Prime Minister mentioned what action should have been taken to avoid the war. According to him, the correct wording is that the regions should have been handed over, and the uncertainty of the status of Nagorno-Karabakh had to be accepted by RA, and its de facto acceptance as part of Azerbaijan and the opportunity for Azerbaijanis who left Nagorno-Karabakh to return and participate in the administration of Nagorno-Karabakh. "Now in retrospect, we can say that maybe he would have been better than what we have today. But at that time, who would convince anyone that it is a way to go? In a situation where we knew that we have a strong army, that we have reliable allies, when official reports were placed on the table, that we are able to act logically without taking a step back. I don't want to deflect any possible charges." "It is necessary to understand that our model of patriotism is Soviet, the Soviet model of Armenian patriotism, which deep down has serious contradictions with the state and statehood of Armenia."

13:23 - 10 January, 2023

About 20 vehicles of the Russian peacekeeping troops passed through the Lachin corridor

The Azerbaijani APPA agency reported that today about 20 vehicles of the Russian peacekeeping troops passed through Lachin Corridor. "The protesters left the road and created conditions for the passage of cars," the news agency notes. At the same time, the Azerbaijani news media also published a video showing the cars of the peacekeeping troops passing through the corridor of Lachin. Since December 12, 2022, Azerbaijan has closed the Lachin Corridor connecting Artsakh to Armenia, as a result of which 120,000 residents of Artsakh, including 30,000 children, were under siege. 1100 civilians, including 270 minors, cannot return from Armenia to Artsakh. Because of the blockade, it is not possible to deliver 400 tons of food and medicine from Armenia to Artsakh every day, as a result of which there is a shortage of food and medicine. 350 patients cannot receive treatment in Armenia. 13 children are in the neonatal and intensive care units, 13 patients are in the intensive care unit. 6 are in critical condition. During these days, 13 Armenians and 4 foreigners in need of emergency medical care were transferred to Armenia only through the mediation of the Red Cross, and one of the patients in Artsakh who needed medical care and was in a critical condition died. Photos: apa.az

15:12 - 09 January, 2023

The action on the Lachin Corridor will continue until it achieves results - Hikmet Alizadeh

The action on the corridor of Lachin will continue until it achieves a result. This was announced by Hikmet Alizadeh, the head of the state service of ecological security of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan. Alizadeh noted that "the demands of environmentalists are very normal". "Participants of the action demand necessary conditions for monitoring in that area. I think the action will continue until it achieves results," Alizadeh said. It should be reminded that since December 12, 2022, Azerbaijan has closed the Lachin Corridor connecting Artsakh to Armenia, as a result of which 120,000 residents of Artsakh, including 30,000 children, were under siege. 1100 civilians, including 270 minors, cannot return from Armenia to Artsakh. Because of the blockade, it is not possible to deliver 400 tons of food and medicine from Armenia to Artsakh every day, as a result of which there is a shortage of food and medicine. 350 patients cannot receive treatment in Armenia. 12 children are in the neonatal and intensive care units, 12 patients are in the intensive care unit. 5 are in critical condition. During these days, 10 Armenians and 4 foreigners in need of emergency medical care were transferred to Armenia only through the mediation of the Red Cross, and one of the patients in Artsakh who needed medical care and was in a critical condition died.

15:14 - 06 January, 2023

In the following weeks, you will feel a drastic activation - Sinanyan referred to the diaspora's response to the closure of the Lachin Corridor

The Chief Commissioner of Diaspora Affairs, Zareh Sinanyan, today referred to the reaction of the diaspora regarding the closure of the Lachin Corridor. "They resort to different measures. I know that the public was expecting a more intense reaction, as there was during the war, but for some reason, this reaction is softer." Zareh Sinanyan said that it is related to many factors. There is apathy and self-organization problems. According to him, however, in the following weeks, there will be a sharp activity in the diaspora. "Yesterday, there was a big action near the mansion of the mayor of Los Angeles, as a result of which the mayor made a clear statement and promised to join the wider scope of work so that the United States is more involved in the opening of the Berdzor road. A gathering was held in Paris last Sunday, there will be a bigger gathering on the 10th of the month and it will be a continuation," said Sinanyan, noting that they are carrying out work at different levels. Since December 12, 2022, Azerbaijan has closed the Lachin Corridor connecting Artsakh to Armenia, as a result of which 120,000 residents of Artsakh, including 30,000 children, were under siege. 1100 civilians, including 270 minors, cannot return from Armenia to Artsakh. Because of the blockade, it is not possible to deliver 400 tons of food and medicine from Armenia to Artsakh every day, as a result of which there is a shortage of food and medicine. 350 patients cannot receive treatment in Armenia. 12 children are in the neonatal and intensive care units, and 12 patients are in the intensive care unit. 5 are in critical condition. During these days, 10 Armenians and 4 foreigners in need of emergency medical care were transferred to Armenia only through the mediation of the Red Cross, and one of the patients in Artsakh who needed medical care and was in critical condition died.

14:13 - 05 January, 2023

We expect more substantive steps from the international community, including the permanent member of the UN Security Council, Russia - Pashinyan

The operation, which caused a humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh, caused a wide international response to the calls to unblock the corridor. RA Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced this at the beginning of the RA government session. Despite this, according to Pashinyan, Azerbaijan is not taking action to settle the issue. He reaffirmed the fact of the statements of the previous sessions that by closing the Lachin Corridor, Azerbaijan grossly violates the direct obligations assumed by the statement of November 9, 2020, which raises serious questions about the contractual capacity of official Baku. "At the same time, Azerbaijan is trying to attribute to Armenia a practice of not fulfilling its obligations, which is completely fictitious. It is also important to record that they give reasons for the closure of the Lachin Pass, but I believe that the deepest and most real reason is that the people of Nagorno Karabakh continue to live in their homeland, and the international community has begun to more and more clearly record Azerbaijan's visible policy of genocide and the ethnic cleansing of the Nagorno Karabakh state. In this sense, we expect more substantive steps from the international community, including the permanent member of the UN Security Council, Russia, whose peacekeeping force is stationed in Nagorno-Karabakh, and keeping the Lachin Corridor under its own control is its direct obligation with the tripartite declaration of November 9, 2020," Pashinyan said. He reminded that a working group headed by Deputy Prime Minister Tigran Khachatryan was created to support the people of Nagorno-Karabakh in the management of the humanitarian crisis in there. "The group has already held several meetings and is making decisions of a humanitarian nature arising from the situation and will continue its activities as long as necessary." Referring to the regional situation, Pashinyan reaffirmed RA's allegiance to the tripartite declarations of November 9, 2020, January 11, 2021, November 26, 2021, and October 30, 2022, as well as the the agreements of the quadrilateral meeting in Prague on October 6, 2022, which are recorded in the statements following the meeting. "I should also emphasize that the continuous blockade of the Lachin Corridor makes the sending of the international fact-finding mission to Nagorno Karabakh and the Lachin Corridor even more necessary, and it is necessary to make continuous efforts in this direction," the RA Prime Minister concluded.

11:29 - 05 January, 2023

It is possible that the US Secretary of State will have phone conversations with the Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan

Ned Price, the spokesperson of the US State Department, said that he expects that the Secretary of State Anthony Blinken will have the opportunity to have another telephone conversation with his Armenian and Azerbaijani counterparts, Ararat Mirzoyan and Jeyhun Bayramov, in the coming days. The speaker did not specify who will be appointed to the position of Philip Reeker, who will leave office tomorrow, January 5. The US Secretary of State only reminded that the Secretary of State and Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs Karen Donfried are directly involved in the regulation of Armenia-Azerbaijan relations. When asked whether it is possible to do more than calls to solve the problems of Armenians, Georgians and Azerbaijanis, Price said: “Well, what you've seen from us so far, both under Ambassador Reeker and under his predecessor, we've cooperated in a bilateral format. We have collaborated with like-minded partners such as the EU. We have partnered with international organizations like the OSCE to facilitate direct dialogue between Armenia and Azerbaijan to find solutions to all issues related to or arising from the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. Our approach will not change. Our approach is one of facilitation, which helps the parties to sit down constructively together and ideally reach a breakthrough that ultimately leads to a comprehensive, long-term solution." It should be reminded that the spokesperson of the US State Department, Ned Price, announced that Philip Reeker is leaving the position of senior advisor for the US Caucasus negotiations and noted that Ambassador Ricker's departure in no way undermines US's efforts to promote a safe, stable, democratic, prosperous and peaceful future in the South Caucasus region.

10:23 - 05 January, 2023

Philip Reeker is leaving the post of senior advisor for the US Caucasus negotiations

Philip Reeker is leaving the post of senior advisor for the US Caucasus negotiations. This was announced by the spokesperson of the US State Department, Ned Price. "Today, we are announcing the resignation of Ambassador Philip Reeker, Senior Adviser on Caucasus Negotiations, effective tomorrow, January 5," Price said. He emphasized that Ambassador Reeker's departure in no way undermines the US commitment to promote a safe, stable, democratic, prosperous and peaceful future in the South Caucasus region. "The United States continues bilateral cooperation with like-minded partners, such as the EU, and with international organizations, such as the OSCE, to facilitate direct dialogue between Armenia and Azerbaijan and to find solutions to all issues related to or arising from the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict." According to Price, Ambassador Reeker's work as Senior Adviser on the Caucasus negotiations accelerated engagement and helped build a structured process to bring peace to the troubled region. "His contribution reaffirms the importance the United States places on helping Armenia and Azerbaijan negotiate a lasting bilateral peace, as well as our commitment to supporting Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity as head of our delegation to the international discussions in Geneva." Ned Price said that since Reeker's appointment in August of last year, it was always understood and expected that he would serve on a short-term basis until the end of 2022.

09:31 - 05 January, 2023

Vladimir Putin sent congratulatory messages to former RA presidents Serzh Sargsyan and Robert Kocharyan

Russian President Vladimir Putin sent congratulatory messages to the leaders of a number of countries on the occasion of the upcoming holidays. As mentioned by the RA Prime Minister's Office, Russian President Vladimir Putin in his message to Nikol Pashinyan stated: "It is important that during your official visit, you managed to fix the strategic direction of the bilateral alliance and outline the steps for the further development of partnership interaction in different directions, including EurAsEC, CSTO, and CIS formats. I look forward to continuing our dialogue and constructive joint work on topical issues of the bilateral and regional agenda." According to the message published on the website of the Kremlin, the President of the Russian Federation also sent a congratulatory message to the President of the Republic of Armenia Vahagn Khachaturian. In addition, it is noted that Vladimir Putin sent congratulatory messages to the former leaders of a number of countries, including the second President of the Republic of Armenia Robert Kocharyan, and the third President of the Republic of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan.

16:02 - 30 December, 2022

In case of Yerevan's interest, the CSTO countries would be ready to send an observation mission to Armenia - Zakharova

The official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, commented on the statement of the Secretary of the Security Council of Armenia, Armen Grigoryan, that now an opportunity has been created for Russia to stand by Armenia and protect its sovereignty. "I don't want to analyze what exactly the politician you mentioned meant. If we are talking about obligations within the CSTO framework, in case of Yerevan's interest, the other member states of the organization would be ready to send an observation mission to Armenia," said Zakharova. "Russia relies on the entire complex of tripartite agreements at the highest level, including those announcements of November 9, January 11, 2020, November 26, 2021, and October 31, 2022, to regulate Armenian-Azerbaijani relations. They are the reliable basis for promoting the process of normalization of relations between Baku and Yerevan. Of course, we take into account that we are bound by alliance obligations with both Armenia and Azerbaijan. Therefore, as a mediator, we always take a position that allows us to perform this function effectively. I really hope that people in Armenia know about this," he said.

14:50 - 29 December, 2022

Russia is really concerned about the situation around the Lachin Corridor - Peskov

On December 27, Russian President Vladimir Putin and RA Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan discussed in detail the situation in the Lachin Corridor. This was announced by the press secretary of the Russian President, Dmitry Peskov, noting that the Russian Federation is really concerned about the situation around the Lachin Corridor. "The Russian Federation continues and intends to continue its mediation efforts, fulfilling first of all the agreements that have been reached on a tripartite basis," the Kremlin spokesman said. Peskov emphasized that "the Russian side will continue its work and efforts in contacts with both Yerevan and Baku". It should be reminded that on December 27, the meeting of Nikol Pashinyan and Vladimir Putin was held, during which Nikol Pashinyan stated: "At the moment, the main issue, the most urgent issue is the crisis that exists in the Lachin Corridor. You know, the Lachin Corridor has been closed for almost 20 days. It is the zone of responsibility of Russian peacekeepers in Nagorno Karabakh. I would like to remind that according to the tripartite statement of the President of Russia, the President of Azerbaijan, and the Prime Minister of Armenia, the Lachin Corridor should be under the control of Russian peacekeepers, and the Republic of Azerbaijan has guaranteed the unimpeded movement of passengers, goods, and people through the Lachin Corridor."

14:36 - 29 December, 2022

Criticism of the Russian peacekeeping contingent in the context of the situation in the Lachin Corridor is unacceptable - Maria Zakharova

The criticism of the Russian peacekeeping contingent in the context of the situation in the Lachin Corridor is unacceptable, Moscow is working to improve the situation. Maria Zakharova, the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, announced this at the briefing held today, TACC reports. "We have repeatedly said that Russian peacekeepers are doing everything possible to settle the situation. No public attack is conducive to the cause, there have been worse situations. We are working to improve this situation," said the diplomat. It should be reminded that today, during the government session, RA Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan once again referred to the activities of the Russian peacekeeping armed group in Artsakh, stating: "It is unacceptable for us to become a silent witness to the depopulation of Nagorno-Karabakh." Since December 12, Azerbaijan has closed the Lachin Corridor connecting Artsakh to Armenia, as a result of which 120.000 residents of Artsakh, including 30,000 children, are under blockade. 1.100 civilians, including 270 minors, cannot return from Armenia to Artsakh. Because of the blockade, it is not possible to deliver 400 tons of food and medicine to Artsakh every day from RA, as a result of which there is a shortage of food and medicine. On December 25, 10 tons of humanitarian cargo - children's and other food, and medicine - was transferred from Armenia to Artsakh only once with the mediation of the ICRC. According to the Ministry of Artsakh, the medicine can satisfy the demand for 10 days. 350 patients cannot receive treatment in RA. 21 patients, including children, are in the intensive care unit. During these days, 5 Armenians and 4 foreigners in need of emergency medical care were transferred to RA only through the mediation of ICRC, and one of the patients in Artsakh who was in critical condition died.

13:43 - 29 December, 2022

Air cargo transportation between Armenia and Turkey may start very soon - Serdar Kilic

"There were sharp differences of opinion on the agenda of the events of 1915, but other issues can be resolved quickly." During the "Life devoted to diplomacy: Turkey-Armenia relations in the light of recent developments" conference organized by the Faculty of Linguistics and Historical Geography of Ankara University, Serdar Kılıç, the special representative of Turkey for the process of normalization of relations between Armenia and Turkey, stated that air cargo transportation between Armenia and Turkey can begin very soon. He reminded about the meeting held in Vienna on July 1, during which the parties agreed to ensure the possibility of crossing the Armenia-Turkey land border in the shortest possible time for citizens of third countries visiting Armenia and Turkey, respectively. And already on November 1, a meeting was held between the technical delegations between Turkey and Armenia to discuss these issues. According to the Turkish service of "Voice of America", Kılıç noted that the meeting of technical delegations was held on November 1 at the initiative of the Turkish side in the morning, and in the afternoon at the initiative of the Armenian side. According to him, it has a symbolic meaning. Kılıç stated that there are certain technical problems to start air cargo transportation, such as the repair of the Alijan bridge (the border gate of the bridge was closed in 1993, during the first Artsakh war - ed.), which can prolong the process of starting air cargo transportation. According to the representative, Turkey is waiting for certain steps from Armenia as well. "There are some steps that we expect to be taken in the next process. There are steps that we need to take, there are steps that we expect from Armenians. If it is possible to do them, we will hold another meeting of special representatives in Armenia or Turkey." He reminded that high-ranking officials in Turkey have also announced the need not to hold a meeting in a third country. Emphasizing once again that the next meetings should take place in Armenia or Azerbaijan, Kılıç noted that the developments of Armenia-Azerbaijan relations are also important in this process, which will contribute to the rapid development of the process. According to Serdar Kılıç, if the relations with Armenia are regulated and the problems with Azerbaijan are resolved, economic developments can be achieved especially in favor of Yerevan. "If, for example, the relations were normal, the Baku-Tbilisi-Erzrum gas pipeline (South Caucasian gas pipeline) could pass through Armenia, the route could be different," he said, noting that, however, all these opportunities were lost in the Karabakh issue because of Armenia's intransigent position. "If a peace agreement is signed with the Azerbaijani side and the process of normalization of Turkey-Armenia relations is successfully completed, naturally, Armenia can be involved in the projects to be implemented in the near future. Armenia is a member of the "Black Sea Economic Cooperation" organization and has a permanent representative office in Istanbul. If it is possible to register positive changes in the coming period, will there be an opportunity to pass natural gas and oil pipelines in the energy sector? Of course, I do not know this. These are technical problems," Kılıç said.

13:40 - 29 December, 2022

It's unacceptable for us the more and more visible practice of the Russian peacekeeping troops to become a silent witness to the depopulation of Nagorno Karabakh - Pashinyan

During the Government session, Nikol Pashinyan mentioned that the Government's package of non-reportable issues includes the issue of providing additional 4 billion drams of support to Nagorno-Karabakh. According to him, providing necessary humanitarian, and socio-psychological support to the people of Nagorno-Karabakh is an absolute necessity. "International popularization of the humanitarian crisis should also become part of our daily work. Partner states and international organizations should be fully aware of the established humanitarian crisis and the deterioration of the situation," Pashinyan said. The RA Prime Minister emphasized once again that the closure of the Lachin Corridor is a gross violation of point 6 of the tripartite statement of November 9, 2020. "Two of the parties to the tripartite statement, the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Russian Federation, are bound by this clause. Azerbaijan guarantees the safe movement of citizens, vehicles, and cargo through the Lachin Corridor, and the Russian peacekeeping force keeps the Lachin Corridor under control." According to Pashinyan, the statement circulated by Azerbaijan on international platforms that the Lachin Corridor is open for traffic has nothing to do with reality. "Lachin Corridor was closed by Azerbaijan, and this is a gross violation of its international obligations. Even if we rely on the propaganda version of Azerbaijan that the Lachin corridor was closed by eco-activists, according to point 6 of the tripartite declaration of November 9, 2020, ensuring the safe movement of citizens, vehicles, and cargo through the Lachin Corridor is Azerbaijan's direct obligation. Under these circumstances, the Russian peacekeeping force in Nagorno-Karabakh and the Russian Federation, which has undertaken specific security obligations to the people of Nagorno-Karabakh, should come forward with a clear explanation of the situation. Pashinyan raised questions, in particular, what is the Russian assessment of the situation, and what is its plan and road map to restore traffic through the Lachin Corridor? "These are questions, the answers of which the RA and Nagorno-Karabakh community are waiting for from the Russian Federation, which, let me remind you, is also a permanent member of the UN Security Council. "If Russia is unable to ensure stability and security in Nagorno-Karabakh for objective or subjective reasons, I think it should organize a discussion in the UN Security Council and endow the Russian peacekeeping force in Nagorno-Karabakh with a UN Security Council mandate or raise the issue of sending additional multinational peacekeepers to Nagorno-Karabakh. Such a question arises also because the closing of the Lachin Corridor is not the first case of Azerbaijan invading the zone of responsibility of the Russian peacekeeping force in Nagorno-Karabakh. This was preceded by the situations of Parukh and Khtsaberd, as a result of which around three dozen citizens of RA continue to remain captives. Pashinyan emphasized that there are all signs to claim that Azerbaijan is preparing another military provocation, including in NK, and the developments of the situation raise questions that require an urgent answer regarding the activities of the peacekeeping troops in NK. "RA is a firm supporter of the presence of the Russian peacekeeping troops in Nagorno-Karabakh, but it is unacceptable for us that they become a silent witness to the depopulation of the Nagorno-Karabakh region, which is becoming more and more visible. In any case, we will have to work closely with Russia and other international partners to clarify these issues in order not to allow further escalation of the situation and to achieve comprehensive adjustments," Pashinyan said. He also reaffirmed Armenia's readiness and determination to sign a peace treaty with Azerbaijan, to complete border delimitation, and to open regional communications.

11:41 - 29 December, 2022