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Putin informed that yesterday there was a tripartite conversation between the leaders of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia

Putin informed that yesterday there was a tripartite conversation between the leaders of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that on December 26, on the eve of the informal CIS summit, a three-way conversation was held with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.  "We started (the conversation) with you yesterday, and we were able to talk together," Putin said at the opening of the meeting with Nikol Pashinyan.  The Russian President also noted that he will discuss the settlement of the situation in the South Caucasus and Armenian-Azerbaijani relations with the Prime Minister of Armenia.  "Of course, the main problem is the settlement of the situation in the South Caucasus as a whole, Armenian-Azerbaijani relations, everything related to Karabakh," Putin said.  Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, in his turn, noted that the Lachin Corridor has not been under the control of the Russian peacekeeping troops for 20 days.  "At the moment, the most important thing is the crisis of the Lachine Corridor.  You know that it has been blocked for almost 20 days," said the RA Prime Minister.  Nikol Pashinyan reminded that the Lachin Corridor in Nagorno-Karabakh is under the control of Russian peacekeepers.  "I want to remind you that according to the tripartite statement of November 9, 2020 (by the President of the Russian Federation, 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 uninterrupted passage of passengers and cargo through the Lachin Corridor.  Now it turns out that the Lachin corridor is not under the control of Russian peacekeepers.  Of course, I would like to discuss this situation and what options are available (to resolve the created situation, - ed.)," said Nikol Pashinyan.
14:34 - 27 December, 2022
A group of citizens is carrying out a road march from Yerevan to the Lachin Corridor

A group of citizens is carrying out a road march from Yerevan to the Lachin Corridor

A group of citizens is carrying out a rally. They started a car march from Republic Square to Lachin Corridor. According to one of the participants of the action, Samvel Movsisyan, they are going to Goris to visit, give gifts and encourage the children who remained in Armenia due to the closure of the Lachin corridor. Then, according to him, they will go to the Lachin Corridor and try to negotiate first with the Armenian police and then with the Russian peacekeepers. "We have to do our best. We cannot sit here and wait for something to happen." 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, have been besieged. 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. 17 patients, including children, are in the intensive care unit. During these days, two 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. Photo: Marut Vanyan
09:57 - 26 December, 2022
"The communication linking Artsakh to the outside world must be restored without preconditions and immediately": Tens of thousands of Artsakh citizens gathered in Renaissance Square

"The communication linking Artsakh to the outside world must be restored without preconditions and immediately": Tens of thousands of Artsakh citizens gathered in Renaissance Square

Today, on the 14th day of the siege of Artsakh, tens of thousands of Artsakh citizens gathered in Stepanakert's Revival Square. Artsakh Republic President Arayik Harutyunyan, former President Bako Sahakyan, and Minister of State Ruben Vardanyan were present at the rally. The gathering started with the Lord's prayer, which was founded by Bishop Vrtanes Abrahamyan, leader of the Diocese of Artsakh. He conveyed the blessing of the Armenian Catholicos and the support of the Armenian Apostolic Church to the participants of the rally, and then noted: "Today, the Catholic Church celebrates the holiday of Christmas. Therefore, on this occasion, we also send our appeal to the entire Christian world to rise above political motives and, motivated by Christian love, address the issue of protecting the basic human rights of their brothers and sisters living in Artsakh, so that we too have the opportunity to celebrate the wonderful holiday of the Holy Christmas in full and peaceful conditions. ". The participants of the rally honored the memory of those who died in the war with a 1-minute silence. Then residents of different settlements of Artsakh gave speeches. The youth of Artsakh also spoke English, French, and Russian. Armen Asryan, President of the Union of Relatives of Soldiers Killed and Missing in the Third Artsakh War, drew the attention of the military and political leadership of Azerbaijan to the large gathering. "On October 30, you said that people came from Armenia. Now, where did they come from? See that Artsakh exists, Artsakh will be, and Artsakh people will fight to live here." It should be reminded that on October 30, a rally was held in Renaissance Square. Artsakh State Minister Ruben Vardanyan also gave a speech during today's rally. He mentioned that at the beginning of next year, on February 23, 35 years of the Artsakh struggle will be completed. "This blockade is not 14 days. this struggle has been going on for 35 years." According to Ruben Vardanyan, they work every day from 7 am to 2 am to overcome difficulties. "Believe that we understand all your difficulties. We know what has happened, both with the injustice and the problems that you face, all of us, we have to create a new situation, that we all believe that we live in a just country, and let this become an example to other countries, the same neighboring country that sent the eco-activists (he means Azerbaijan, - ed.). They should take an example from us. We will teach them how to live, not that they will tell us how to maintain ecological standards. Ruben Vardanyan also called on people to believe in each other and respect the state. "This is our strength, that we are not just independent, but we have truly become a society that knows what democracy means, what human rights mean, what it means to respect a person. There is a law. When you are under pressure, either you get stronger and push back, or you run away. We have no right to run away. We must resist, we must, seeing that strength in us, oppose our strength in front of them." Artsakh state minister noted that, as in Russian fairy tales, Artsakh now has three roads. "One, sooner or later we submit that we are gradually integrated into Azerbaijan. Second, we leaving. Third, we fight. I made my decision on September 2. I am here, I am fighting, and I will not leave, I will not submit to Azerbaijan's conditions." He also talked about the upcoming difficulties, noting that the road will not be easy. "There will be sweat, blood will be spilled, and a lot of work will be required. But if we feel that strength in ourselves, that we believe in each other, that we know our goal, that our independent Artsakh is the most important thing for us, and living on our land is the meaning of our life, I am sure that it is not only us. to feel, the world will feel it, not only the world will help us, we will help the world. We should not say alone: we are victims, help us. We help the world by being so strong, so independent, so ready to fight." In the last part of the rally, the call of the people of Artsakh addressed to the world and Armenians was made. In its address, the Armenian people of Artsakh announced that the communication connecting Artsakh to the outside world should be restored without preconditions and immediately, and conditions should be created to ensure its further uninterrupted activity. The title also states: "The Republic of Artsakh will continue to make efforts to strengthen the security and defense capabilities of its people, combining its own capabilities and the capabilities of the Russian Federation Peacekeeping Mission." At the end of the rally, the anthem of the Republic of Artsakh was played. Artsakh youths organized an action in Yerevan in parallel with the rally in Renaissance Square. Chanting "Open the road of life", and "Artsakh", the participants of the action marched to Republic Square and performed the Artsakh national anthem. Main photo from Suren Stepanyan's Facebook page Anna Sahakyan
16:45 - 25 December, 2022
In a conversation with Macron, Aliyev stated that "Armenia still occupies 8 villages belonging to Azerbaijan"

In a conversation with Macron, Aliyev stated that "Armenia still occupies 8 villages belonging to Azerbaijan"

The staff of the President of Azerbaijan has also released a message about the telephone conversation between the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and the President of France Emmanuel Macron. According to the message of the Azerbaijani side, during the telephone conversation, the Armenia-Azerbaijan relations were discussed as the situation in the Lachin Corridor. Ilham Aliyev asserted that "the road is open for use for humanitarian purposes and there are no obstacles, adding that the passage of ambulances is ensured by the mediation of the local office of the International Committee of the Red Cross, without the need for other institutions." During the conversation, Ilham Aliyev noted that "Armenia still occupies 8 villages belonging to Azerbaijan." The report states that "Ilham Aliyev expressed regret for the activities against Azerbaijan during the Francophonie and other international events." Emmanuel Macron, for his part, said that France is ready to support the normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan and the continuation of peace treaty negotiations. It should be reminded that the French side also informed about the telephone conversation, noting that Emmanuel Macron called to ensure free movement between Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh. From December 12 until today, Azerbaijan continues to close the only road connecting Artsakh to Armenia. On December 12, at 10:30 a.m., a group of Azerbaijanis closed the Shushi-Karin section of the Stepanakert-Goris highway, putting 120,000 residents of Artsakh under siege. 1100 civilians, including 270 minors, cannot return to Artsakh, some of them temporarily staying in Syunik marz. The transport connection of Lisagor, Mets Shen, Hin Shen, and Yegtsahogh villages of the Shushi region with the capital Stepanakert is interrupted. Since December 13, Azerbaijan has also interrupted the gas supply of the Republic of Artsakh. The gas supply was restored on December 16.
14:30 - 24 December, 2022
Putin and Aliyev had a telephone conversation

Putin and Aliyev had a telephone conversation

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev had a telephone conversation. The Russian President congratulated his Azerbaijani colleague on his birthday. "Some issues of the practical implementation of tripartite agreements between the leaders of Russia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan were also discussed, in particular, in connection with ensuring the security of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border," the press service of the Kremlin said.
13:37 - 24 December, 2022
Lavrov stated that RA did not use any diplomatic channel to inform that it will not participate in the meeting of foreign ministers

Lavrov stated that RA did not use any diplomatic channel to inform that it will not participate in the meeting of foreign ministers

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that Armenia did not use any diplomatic channel to inform Russia that it refuses to participate in the tripartite meeting with Russian and Azerbaijani Foreign Ministers Sergey Lavrov and Jeyhun Bayramov in Moscow. According to the Russian Foreign Minister, "the method of informing the Armenian side raises questions." Lavrov announced this during the press conference following the negotiations with the Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Bairamov. "Like you, we learned about the refusal [to participate in the meeting] from the press report. No diplomatic channel, which is usually included in such cases, was used. This is the decision of the Armenian side," he said, adding that "informing everyone like that raises questions." It should be reminded the meeting of the foreign ministers of Armenia, Russia, and Azerbaijan was supposed to take place in Moscow today, but the Armenian side asked to postpone it. "At the moment, the priority of the RA Foreign Minister is to address the problems created as a result of the unimpeded reopening of the Lachin Corridor and the humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh," explained the spokesperson of the RA Foreign Ministry.
17:47 - 23 December, 2022
Armenia and Azerbaijan should seek opportunities for dialogue and ways to reach a peaceful agreement - Lavrov

Armenia and Azerbaijan should seek opportunities for dialogue and ways to reach a peaceful agreement - Lavrov

Armenia and Azerbaijan should seek opportunities for dialogue and ways to reach a peaceful agreement. Russia hopes to accelerate this work. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced this on Friday, starting negotiations with Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov in Moscow. "Four tripartite declarations have been approved. The work towards them is in progress, but of course, we would like to speed it up. And regardless of what issues arise on a daily basis, I am convinced that it is more necessary to have regular meetings, to negotiate, to strengthen trust, and to create the ground for the solution of all issues," said the head of the Russian diplomatic department. The Russian diplomat expressed regret for the Armenian side's decision to refuse to participate in the tripartite meeting of foreign ministers to be held on December 23."For today, we agreed to hold a meeting of the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia in our territory to continue the discussion of the peace treaty. We were preparing for this event, but, unfortunately, at the last moment, our Armenian colleagues refused to come to Moscow, explaining it by the situation happening. It's a pity that such an opportunity was missed," Lavrov said. A meeting of the foreign ministers of Armenia, Russia, and Azerbaijan was scheduled for December 23 in Moscow, but the Armenian side asked to postpone the meeting because at the moment the priority of the Armenian Foreign Minister is to address the problems created as a result of the humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh and the unhindered restart of the Lachin Corridor.
15:41 - 23 December, 2022
The blockade of the Lachin Corridor is a pre-planned operation by Azerbaijan: Spokesman of the Foreign Ministry

The blockade of the Lachin Corridor is a pre-planned operation by Azerbaijan: Spokesman of the Foreign Ministry

The press secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia referred to the situation in the Lachin Corridor on Twitter. He noted that Azerbaijan planned the closure of the Lachin Corridor in advance. "Coordinated character of Azerbaijani actions, including preceding incidents targeting the civilian population and critical infrastructure, is yet another evidence that. The blockade of Lachin Corridor is a pre-planned operation by Azerbaijan with the intention to inflict harm upon the civilian population and create a large-scale humanitarian crisis in Nagorno Karabakh," he wrote.  From December 12 until today, Azerbaijan continues to close the only road connecting Artsakh to Armenia. On December 12, at 10:30 a.m., a group of Azerbaijanis closed the Shushi-Karin section of the Stepanakert-Goris highway, putting 120,000 residents of Artsakh under siege. 1100 civilians, including 270 minors, cannot return to Artsakh, some of them temporarily staying in Syunik marz. The transport connection of Lisagor, Mets Shen, Hin Shen, and Yegtsahogh villages of the Shushi region with the capital Stepanakert is interrupted. Since December 13, Azerbaijan also interrupted the gas supply of the Republic of Artsakh. The gas supply was restored on December 16. Photo from blocked Lachin Corridor/Azerbaijani Report.az        
11:22 - 23 December, 2022
According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, Armenia refused to participate in the meeting with the foreign ministers of Russia and Azerbaijan

According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, Armenia refused to participate in the meeting with the foreign ministers of Russia and Azerbaijan

On December 22, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov had a telephone conversation. The situation in the area of responsibility of the Russian peacekeeping contingent was discussed, which was aggravated due to the disagreements between the parties regarding the closure of the Lachin Corridor and the exploitation of mines in the region. Lavrov emphasized the need to strictly observe the tripartite agreements on ensuring unimpeded communication between Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia through the Lachin Corridor. The parties expressed regret for Yerevan's decision to refuse to participate in the meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia to be held in Moscow on December 23 to discuss the preparation of the peace treaty. The importance of continuing the implementation of the tripartite statements of the leaders of Russia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia on November 9, January 11, 2021, and November 26, 2021, as well as October 31, 2022, was emphasized.
15:37 - 22 December, 2022
I can say the opposite - Russian peacekeeping troops are fulfilling their mission: Zakharova commented on Nikol Pashinyan's statement

I can say the opposite - Russian peacekeeping troops are fulfilling their mission: Zakharova commented on Nikol Pashinyan's statement

I can say the opposite - the Russian peacekeeping contingent is fulfilling its mission. This was announced by Maria Zakharova, representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, commenting on the statement made by RA Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan during today's government session. "Work is underway, and if it is not known, I can repeat that there were situations when the parties blamed each other and it was the Russian peacekeepers who did everything to stabilize the situation and they succeeded. Therefore, such an attitude towards our peacekeepers is not acceptable. It should be reminded that Nikol Pashinyan emphasized again at the beginning of the Government session that Azerbaijan is not fulfilling the obligation assumed by the tripartite declaration of November 9. "De facto, it turns out that the obligation recorded in the tripartite declaration, that is to keep the Lachin Corridor under control, is not fulfilled by the Russian peacekeeping troops either." From December 12 until today, Azerbaijan continues to close the only road connecting Artsakh to Armenia. On December 12, at 10:30 a.m., a group of Azerbaijanis closed the Shushi-Karin section of the Stepanakert-Goris highway, putting 120,000 residents of Artsakh under siege. 1100 civilians, including 270 minors, cannot return to Artsakh, some of them temporarily staying in Syunik. The transport connection of Lisagor, Mets Shen, Hin Shen, and Yegtsahogh villages of the Shushi region with the capital Stepanakert is interrupted. Since December 13, Azerbaijan also interrupted the gas supply of the Republic of Artsakh. The gas supply was restored on December 16.
15:08 - 22 December, 2022
Another organization participating in the "environmental actions" is related to the authorities of Azerbaijan

Another organization participating in the "environmental actions" is related to the authorities of Azerbaijan

It is already the 10th day that Azerbaijani "environmentalists" continue their "action" in the Lachin corridor. Artsakh's connection with Armenia has been cut, there is a shortage of some products in Artsakh, and the people of Artsakh in the Republic of Armenia cannot return home. A few days ago, we referred to the "Regional Development" NGO participating in "environmental actions", which is affiliated with the Heydar Aliyev Foundation. Now we will tell about the "Union of Voluntary Organizations of Azerbaijan", whose volunteers also participate in "environmental actions". Union volunteers are wearing blue jackets (photo by Trend) This union was established in 2020, as they say, "in order to increase the effectiveness of volunteering in Azerbaijan." It is clear from the Union's publications, the contents of the implemented events, and the notes of some members that it has a pro-government position. The president of the union is Yusif Valiev, who is the head of the department of the Association of Football Federations of Azerbaijan and actively participates in the "actions" held in the corridor of Lachin. The board of directors includes Elnur Kalantarov, who is the former head of the public relations department of the State Migration Service of Azerbaijan. One of the members of the union is Bakhtiar Ragimov, from whose Facebook page it immediately becomes clear that he is a supporter of the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev. Yusif Valiev during the "environmental action" One of the programs implemented by the Union is called "Returning volunteers". Speaking about the project, the union states that "their army under the leadership of Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev won the Patriotic War, and their lands were returned." The goal of the program is "to support volunteer activities in territories liberated from occupation". Like the "Regional Development" NGO, the "Union of Voluntary Organizations of Azerbaijan" also has a special attitude towards the former president of Azerbaijan, Heydar Aliyev. Union volunteers pay tribute to the memory of Heydar Aliyev and visit the Heydar Aliyev Center. And the current president of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, called on the participants of the 5th solidarity forum of Azerbaijani volunteers this year. This forum was held within the framework of the "Volunteer Week of Azerbaijan 2022", which was organized by the "Union of Voluntary Organizations of Azerbaijan". The Ministry of Youth and Sports of Azerbaijan supported the organization of the volunteer week. Within the framework of the same event, the volunteers visited Azerbaijan's "Military Trophy Park", where they raised the following calls: "Karabakh is Azerbaijan", and "Long live the Commander-in-Chief". By the way, another organization participating in the "environmental actions" is connected to the authorities of Azerbaijan. The main photo is from the Facebook page of the "Union of Voluntary Organizations of Azerbaijan"  Anna Sahakyan
18:58 - 21 December, 2022
I don't think that the Russian peacekeepers will open the way by using force - Beglaryan

I don't think that the Russian peacekeepers will open the way by using force - Beglaryan

I do not think that the peacekeepers will open the way by using force. Artak Beglaryan, the advisor to Artsakh State Minister, expressed a similar opinion in an interview given to Armenian Public Television. Referring to the option of solving the problem through negotiations, Beglaryan said, "If Russia intervenes harshly at the highest political level, yes, it can, but there is a high probability that there are specific topics in the minds of the leaders of Azerbaijan and Turkey that they can put on the negotiation table." He added that trade is one of the possible options.  " It can also be issues related to the opening of communications, it can be purely issues of relations with Russia." According to Beglaryan, Russia does not want to enter such trade at the highest level, "Maybe the price is quite high. Now we have a task to increase the pressure as much as possible multilaterally both directly in Armenia-Artsakh-Azerbaijan relations, and Russia-Azerbaijan-Turkey and other international partners and Azerbaijan, Turkey. We must increase the pressure at all these levels. And we have to hit the weak spots." Beglaryan said that the weak points are the strength of Aliyev's government, the weak point is their economic programs, including the energy programs. "Imagine if there were rallies of 1 million or 500 or 100 people in the diaspora. Those rallies will attract so much attention in democratic countries that they will avoid signing a contract." It should be reminded that Beglaryan started an indefinite sit-in in front of the UN office in Armenia on December 14, demanding to open the Lachin corridor. It is already the 10th day that Azerbaijan keeps the only road connecting Artsakh to Armenia and the world closed. Due to this provocation, 120,000 residents of Artsakh remained under siege. 1100 civilians, including 270 minors, cannot return to Artsakh, some of them temporarily staying in Syunik marz. The transport connection of Lisagor, Mets Shen, Hin Shen, and Yegtsahogh villages of the Shushi region with the capital Stepanakert is interrupted. Since December 13, Azerbaijan also interrupted the gas supply of the Republic of Artsakh. Gas supply was restored on December 16.
11:01 - 21 December, 2022
Arayik Harutyunyan did not say that 35 thousand Armenians lived in Artsakh in 2021։ The Azerbaijani diplomat is spreading disinformation

Arayik Harutyunyan did not say that 35 thousand Armenians lived in Artsakh in 2021։ The Azerbaijani diplomat is spreading disinformation

Chairman of the Council of the Center for the Analysis of International Relations of Azerbaijan, former ambassador of Azerbaijan to Canada and the Czech Republic, Farid Shafiyev, tweeted yesterday, writing: "According to a leader of Karabakh Armenians, in 2021 35,000 Armenians lived in Karabakh." By "the leader of the Armenians of Karabakh", the Azerbaijani diplomat means the President of the Republic of Artsakh, Arayik Harutyunyan. Shafiyev also published a screenshot from the transcript of Araik Harutyunyan's speech, where he underligned  Harutyunyan's direct speech. "How do you imagine solving the social and household problems of 35.000 citizens without cooperation with Armenia?" Because of such problems, we have deprived tens of thousands of our citizens of Martakert and Shahumyan from the opportunity to live in our country." This screenshot is from armeniasputnik.am's June 22, 2021 publication. The quote is from the speech of the President of Artsakh in Renaissance Square (you can listen to the full speech here). During the speech, in the context of the relations with the Armenian authorities, Harutyunyan did talk about solving the social and household problems of 35․000 citizens, but his speech does not refer to all residents of the Artsakh Republic as of 2021. After the 44-day war, when some territories of Artsakh came under the control of Azerbaijan, the inhabitants of those territories were displaced from their homes. In November 2020, the RA government approved a measure to support citizens registered in the communities that came under the control of Azerbaijan. At that time, the government announced that according to the preliminary assessment, 30-35 thousand Artsakh citizens will receive 300․000 drams each under this program. During one of the sessions of the National Assembly of Artsakh in February 2021, the Minister of Labour, Social Affairs, and Migration of Artsakh, Mane Tandilyan, spoke about the support of 300․000 drams for 35 thousand displaced people. Thus, we see that Arayik Harutyunyan, speaking about the solution of the social and household problems of 35.000 citizens, meant the displaced Artsakh residents from the settlements that came under the control of Azerbaijan. The Azerbaijani diplomat is spreading an obvious lie, saying that according to Arayik Harutyunyan, 35 thousand of Armenians lived in Artsakh in 2021. According to the latest data, 120.000 Armenians live in the Republic of Artsakh, and this is despite the fact that not all Artsakh citizens displaced after the war have returned there. Main photo - Farid Shafiyev Anna Sahakyan
16:31 - 20 December, 2022
Armenia is not responding as I expected - Ruben Vardanyan

Armenia is not responding as I expected - Ruben Vardanyan

During an interview with Rusarminfo, Artsakh State Minister Ruben Vardanyan said that Armenia is not responding to the blockade of Artsakh by Azerbaijan as expected. Ruben Vardanyan answered the question of whether the international reaction is adequate. "I see that many people in different countries react, but as states, as international organizations, no, of course. The same is in Armenia. Why are we talking about other countries, we can talk about Armenia. Armenia is not responding as I expected, I am surprised. It's really unexpected for me to see such indifference and such caution regarding this. When I arrived, the first session of the Government was about how we prepare for winter. The first issue of the first session was that this winter will be very dangerous, very cold," the Artsakh state minister said. Ruben Vardanyan also noted that his move to Artsakh brought great problems for Azerbaijan. "I ruined everyone's plans. My coming here brought a very big problem for Azerbaijan and for those forces who want this issue to be resolved in a different way both in Armenia, and there are some in Artsakh as well, who would be very happy if this situation went quietly and without my participation. I understand that me coming here has brought greater interest to Artsakh in the world, a greater response to what is happening in Artsakh. People have more enthusiasm and faith. Contact with people in these three days showed that there is hope that not only me, but the people who came with me will create a new atmosphere, a new situation, which was in the early 1990s when the Artsakh movement had just started." He also noted that there is no panic mood in Artsakh. "It's not that everything is at a standstill, nothing is working, we just need to understand that if we are going to live like this for the whole winter, it is a serious challenge that we are ready to accept and there is no problem." It should be reminded that from 10:30 in the morning of December 12, a group of Azerbaijanis closed the Shushi-Karin section of the Stepanakert-Goris highway for environmental reasons, putting 120.000 residents of Artsakh under siege. 1.100 civilians, including 270 minors, cannot return to Artsakh, some of them temporarily staying in Syunik marz. The transport connection of Lisagor, Mets Shen, Hin Shen, and Yegtsahogh villages of the Shushi region with the capital Stepanakert is interrupted. Since December 13, Azerbaijan also interrupted the gas supply of the Republic of Artsakh. Gas supply was restored on December 16.
15:14 - 20 December, 2022
Can the UN World Food Program deliver food to blocked Artsakh?

Can the UN World Food Program deliver food to blocked Artsakh?

It is already the ninth day that Azerbaijan has blocked the only road connecting Artsakh to Armenia. On December 12, a group of Azerbaijanis closed the Shushi-Karin section of the Stepanakert-Goris highway for environmental reasons. Hundreds of citizens, including minors, cannot return home. The transport connection of the villages Lisagor, Mets Shen, Hin Shen, and Yeghtsahogh of the Shushi region with the capital of Artsakh, Stepanakert, has been interrupted. Although famine has not started in Artsakh, there is a shortage of some products, such as potatoes, dairy products, and baby food. In addition, it is not clear how long the road will remain closed and how long Artsakh can withstand the blockade. What is the World Food Program? Hakob Chagharyan, the former adviser to the RA Prime Minister, made a Facebook post two days ago, noting that the World Food Program of the United Nations (UN) provides food to people like those in Artsakh. The World Food Program provides food to people in areas that have food problems due to war, conflict, climate change, or other reasons, and where hunger prevails. "60 percent of the world's hungry live in conflict-affected zones, which is the root cause of 8 of the 10 worst hunger crises (such as Yemen, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Syria)," it's mentioned on the website of the organization. The website of the World Food Program (hereinafter WFP) states that WFP supplies vital food to people trapped or displaced by military operations, wherever they are. "With the help of local partners, we reach those in need even in the most remote areas, using all-terrain vehicles and dropping food from airplanes when all other routes are closed." Hakob Chagharyan noted in his post: "In case of the hourly threat of encirclement of Artsakh in Armenia, an aircraft or aircraft working under the auspices of the United Nations should be on duty at all times." WFP collaborates with governments The main partners of WFP are governments. The organization says it can provide food aid and, in some cases, technical and logistical services, but its projects always require the full support and involvement of governments: "Ultimately, it is the national government that should ask the WFP to intervene in emergency situations or development projects, so the work of the Program must be in line with the national picture." And in exceptional circumstances, when, for example, there is a crisis in a country and the authorities have lost control over their territory, WFP can provide assistance without the invitation of the government, at the special request of the UN Secretary-General. There are also well-known cases when the governments themselves turned to WFP for support. The Egyptian government, for example, turned to the organization to support Syrian refugees with food. The Turkish government also applied to the program to support the Syrian refugees.  The experience with Armenia and Azerbaijan In a conversation with Infocom, Hakob Chagharyan mentioned that an alarm should go to the WFP about the situation in Artsakh. According to him, the applicant can be Artsakh or another government, for example, the RA government. "My hopes that Armenia will apply are very low," says Hakob Chagharyan. According to him, he is currently holding discussions with the authorities of Artsakh in order to obtain the authority to apply to the United Nations on behalf of the government of Artsakh. WFP has representative offices in many countries, including Armenia. After the 44-day war, the structure provided support to the people who moved to the Republic of Armenia as a result of the war. It is interesting that in 2020, after the war, the WFP announced that it aims to provide support to "residents affected by the war in the Republic of Azerbaijan". The structure meant the residents of the Republic of Artsakh. In its 2020 publication, WFP noted that "the UN does not have a mandate in the affected region, but is coordinating work with partners to assess needs and support any voluntary return processes to war-affected areas." "The [UN] Emergency Relief Coordinator sent a note to the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the UN requesting access to Nagorno Karabakh to conduct a UN assessment of the affected area," WFP noted. The organization also announced that it will work with the government of Azerbaijan to provide access to the population of the affected areas. However, there are no publications on the WFP website about whether this aid has finally reached the people of Artsakh. Can WFP help the blocked Artsakh? To the question of whether in case an application for food aid to Artsakh is sent to WFP, Azerbaijan will allow the aid to arrive, Hakob Chagharyan answers: Azerbaijan cannot refuse to allow it. He remembers that he himself once worked within the framework of that program and delivered aid to Darfur, which is in the west of Sudan, on the border with Chad. In Darfur, a rebellion against the government started years ago because of the treatment of the local non-Arab population (you can read more about the conflict here). Hakob Chagharyan remembers that the president of Sudan, who is not known for his humanism, did not even try to prohibit the provision of assistance to the people of Darfur. "No one goes against the UN. With this, you prove that you commit genocide, and with this, you become a terrorist country. People live there, that's a fact. People need to be fed," says Hakob Tzhagharyan, adding that in the same way, Azerbaijan cannot help reach Artsakh. He does not hope but he is sure that with the appropriate application and the work of the MFA, the case can be solved. Infocom reached out to the Foreign Ministers of the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Artsakh to find out if they have reached out to the World Food Program to assist Artsakh if needed. The RA MFA asked to send a written request, the answer to which we will publish as soon as we receive it. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan did not comment on the issue, stating that if there is information, they will publish it.   The main photo is from the WFP Facebook page Anna Sahakyan
13:32 - 20 December, 2022
Today, no patient from Artsakh was transferred to Armenia: In the videos that are being shared, most likely, they are the cars returning from Armenia

Today, no patient from Artsakh was transferred to Armenia: In the videos that are being shared, most likely, they are the cars returning from Armenia

Today, a video is shared on Azerbaijani telegram channels, where emergency vehicles are seen moving accompanied by Red Cross vehicles. "An ambulance accompanied by the Red Cross passed through the corridor of Lachin again," it is noted on the channels next to the video. It should be reminded that yesterday a medical patient from Artsakh was transferred to Armenia through the mediation of the International Committee of the Red Cross, and a video was circulated where emergency aid and ICRC vehicles were seen. Taking into account that a new video has been distributed, Infocom asked the Armenian office of the ICRC to find out if a new patient has been transferred from Artsakh to Yerevan. Zara Amatuni, head of communication programs of the ICRC in Armenia, said that after yesterday, no new patient was transferred from Artsakh to Armenia. If we look carefully at the videos being shared, we will see that the location is the same in both, but in yesterday's video, the emergency aid and ICRC vehicles are moving in the same direction, and in today's video, they are moving in the opposite direction. This is a screenshot from yesterday's video. And this screenshot is from today's video. Comparing the two photos, it becomes clear that this is the same section of the road, and the cars are going in opposite directions. Taking into account that the vehicle registration plates of the three passing cars are the same, we can assume that the cars transported by the medical patient yesterday are returning to Armenia from Armenia through the corridor. Anna Sahakyan
13:16 - 20 December, 2022