The Azerbaijanis closed the Lachin corridor again

The Azerbaijanis closed the Lachin corridor again.  It is noted that the so-called "eco-activists" of Azerbaijan demand a meeting with the commander of the Russian peacekeeping force in Artsakh, Andrey Volkov.  They claim that the environmental monitoring, which was supposed to be carried out in the mines of Artsakh, was disrupted on Saturday.

It should be reminded that on December 3, a group of Azerbaijanis in civilian clothes blocked the Stepanakert-Goris highway for environmental reasons at the intersection under Shushi-Kari.  After more than three hours of negotiations with the Azerbaijani side, the road was finally opened.

The Artsakh Environmental Protection Committee issued a statement stressing that the principles, procedures, and relations related to subsoil use in Artsakh are defined by the Code of Artsakh on Subsoil, and that the Republic of Artsakh is even ready to invite an international expert group to further assess environmental risks and improve the system. 

Later, the Azerbaijani side announced that they had a meeting with the command of the Russian peacekeeping troops in Artsakh, during which they expressed concern about the "illegal exploitation of minerals in Nagorno-Karabakh and the consequences of this activity".  On December 7, the second meeting of a group of Azerbaijanis with the command of the Russian peacekeeping troops took place in Artsakh, during which several journalists tried to attend the discussions, but their entry was denied.

The Armenian people in the region continue to face existential danger - Ararat Mirzoyan received the UN representative

On December 12, RA Minister of Foreign Affairs Ararat Mirzoyan received Alice Wairimu Nderitu, Special Adviser of the UN Secretary-General on Genocide Prevention, who is in Armenia to participate in the 4th Global Forum "Against the Crime of Genocide". The RA MFA informs about this.

The interlocutors expressed satisfaction with the ongoing cooperation between Armenia and the Office of the Special Adviser, which is aimed at preventing genocides and promoting the global fight against xenophobia and discrimination. In this regard, the "Prevention of Genocide" resolution initiated by Armenia and presented every two years within the framework of the Human Rights Council was highlighted.

Mirzoyan presented to Villegas the situation created as a result of the disruption of the normal activity of the Lachin Corridor

On December 12, RA Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan met with the President of the UN Human Rights Council, the Permanent Representative of Argentina to the UN Office in Geneva, Federico Villegas.

Ararat Mirzoyan emphasized the participation of the President of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in the Fourth Global Forum "Against the Crime of Genocide", appreciating his contribution to the protection of human rights.

RA Foreign Minister emphasized that Armenia, as a state representing a nation that survived the genocide, is most actively involved in the promotion of the agenda for the prevention of genocide and other crimes against humanity.

The interlocutors referred to the activities carried out by Armenia in the ICRC in the last three years, and also noted with satisfaction the close cooperation between Armenia and Argentina, including in the field of human rights.

Ararat Mirzoyan presented to the interlocutor the situation created by Azerbaijan's steps aimed at disrupting the normal functioning of the Lachin Corridor and the dangers arising from it. Minister Mirzoyan also emphasized that Azerbaijan's overzealous, force or threat-of-force approaches are the main factors undermining stability and security in the region.

Vladimir Putin and Nikol Pashinyan had a telephone conversation - Kremlin

Vladimir Putin also had a telephone conversation with RA Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

According to the Kremlin's message, the implementation of the tripartite agreements was discussed.

Special attention was paid to ensuring security on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, as well as to projects aimed at restoring transport, logistics, and trade-economic ties in Transcaucasia.

It is noted that during the telephone conversation, Nikol Pashinyan and Vladimir Putin, continuing the topics of the meeting held on December 9 within the framework of the session of the Eurasian Higher Economic Council in Bishkek, discussed the implementation of fundamental agreements between the leaders of Russia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan.

Other News

• RA Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has signed a decision to dismiss Zhanna Andreasyan from the post of RA Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports.

• The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Artsakh has issued a statement condemning Azerbaijan's provocative move to close the Goris-Stepanakert highway. 

• The 4th Global Forum "Against the Crime of Genocide" was opened on December 12 in Yerevan’s Matenadaran, entitled “Prevention of Genocide in the Era of New Technologies”.

• The co-Founder of Lemkin Institute sees a need for sanctions against Azerbaijan to prevent another genocide against Armenians