The command of the Russian peacekeepers continues negotiations on the issue of restoring traffic through the Lachin Corridor

The Russian peacekeeping contingent continues to fulfill its tasks in Nagorno-Karabakh.  The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation issued a message about this.

It is noted that Russian peacekeepers are monitoring the situation at 30 observation points and monitoring the ceasefire. 

"The command of the force continues negotiations with the Armenian and Azeri sides on the issue of restoring the traffic of vehicles on the Stepanakert-Goris road (Lachin Corridor - ed.)," the message says.

On the previous day, a patrol was carried out in Martuni and Martakert regions and in the Lachin corridor.

French National Assembly Speaker visits Armenia

During today's press conference, journalists asked French Parliament Speaker Yaël Braun-Pivet a question about the OSCE Minsk Group, specifically stating that Azerbaijan considers the Nagorno-Karabakh issue to be resolved, thus rejecting the existence of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmanship. 

“Today it is important to return to the dialogue between the parties. The Minsk Group is one of the existing dialogue platforms, not the only one, but it is a very important platform. The role of Armenia is also to tell us which conditions will allow returning to the dialogue,” she said.

Armenia’s Parliament Speaker Alen Simonyan added.

“Today, 1-2 other formats have been created, which to some extent try to replace that format. However, we note that the United States and France, one of the co-chairs of the Minsk Group, have repeatedly stated that they are ready and will continue cooperation, and Russia has also made a statement that they are ready to discuss the existence and future fate of this format.

It should be noted that today we have 1-2 formats on the initiative of France, as well as on the initiative of Moscow, which deal with the same problem and are not less important. Keeping the issue of the Minsk Group on the agenda, we should also not reduce all existing formats in any way.”

"After the September attack, the French Senate adopted a resolution and condemned it, and it also mentioned the need to recognize the independence of Artsakh.

Now that the Azerbaijanis have closed the Lachin Corridor, don't you think it is the right time to recognize the independence of Artsakh?", the Speaker of the French National Assembly was asked today at the joint press conference with the Speaker of the Armenian National Assembly.

She first mentioned that both the Senate and the National Assembly have adopted resolutions condemning Azerbaijan's aggression on the borders of Armenia, as well as the closure of the Lachin Corridor.  

"As for the recognition of the independence of Nagorno-Karabakh, you know the position of France. Today, France does not recognize that independence and this is in accordance with the international law to which we are subject."

Yaël Braun-Pivet answered another question: why does France not impose sanctions on Azerbaijan and Aliyev along with important political statements?  

"We think that peaceful settlement and restoration of dialogue is important. It is not appropriate to use other ways until the way of dialogue is completely exhausted," she mentioned.

Internet connection has been restored in the entire territory of Artsakh

The information center of Artsakh reports that the Internet connection has been restored in the territory of the republic.
 
 "Thanks to the negotiations conducted by the Russian peacekeeping troops stationed in Artsakh, the technical specialists of "Karabakh Telecom" managed to go to the place of the accident and carry out appropriate work on the spot to restore the damaged part of the cable.
 
As of now, the Internet connection has been restored in the entire territory of the Republic of Artsakh," the statement of the Information Center reports.

We see the reaction to the problems arising around our country in the parliamentary chambers of France - Nikol Pashinyan

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan received the delegation led by Yaël Braun-Pivet, the President of the French National Assembly.

At the meeting, reference was made to the steps taken to overcome the humanitarian crisis created in Nagorno-Karabakh as a result of Azerbaijan's illegal blocking of the Lachin Corridor. The sides emphasized the fact of another violation of the November 9, 2020 declaration by Azerbaijan, attaching importance to the international community's attention and adequate response to it.

The sides also exchanged ideas on the processes taking place in the region.

Referring to the Armenian-French relations, Nikol Pashinyan and Yaël Braun-Pivet emphasized the need to develop and expand cooperation in various fields. In particular, further deepening of ties in the fields of economy, tourism, education, science, and culture was emphasized. It was reported that the Marseille-Yerevan flight will start operating in the near future, which will contribute to the development of cooperation in the field of tourism. Issues related to the expansion of the activities of the French University in Armenia were also discussed.

At the request of the guests, Prime Minister Pashinyan referred to the process of democratic and institutional reforms being implemented in our country and emphasized that the rich agenda of reforms is one of the priorities of the Armenian Government. "No event or problem should divert us from the path of reforms, our response to challenges should be asymmetrical," the Prime Minister said.

The sending of the international fact-finding mission is necessary to prevent steps of ethnic cleansing in Azerbaijan - Artsakh Human Rights Defenders of Armenia and Artsakh

Institutions of human rights defenders of Armenia and Artsakh have published an extraordinary report on the humanitarian consequences of blocking the Lachin Corridor, with newly updated data as of January 13, 2023.

In the report, the Defenders referred to the reaction of international structures, figures, and media to the Lachin Corridor issue, the provocative statements by high-ranking Azerbaijani officials and public figures regarding the blockade of the Lachin Corridor, the continuous signs of ethnic cleansing by high-ranking Azerbaijani officials, the humanitarian crisis caused by the blockade, the action of "eco-activists" to the new data justifying the false nature, as well as to the direct connections of the persons who illegally blocked the road with the government of Azerbaijan.

The report also referred to the rights of free movement of the population, ensuring a sufficient standard of living, access to food, and health care, as well as violations of children's rights.