15 servicemen killed as a result of the fire in the military unit of the Ministry of Defense

According to preliminary data, 15 servicemen were killed as a result of the fire that broke out in the shelter of the engineer sniper company of the N military unit of the Ministry of Defense, and the condition of 3 servicemen is assessed as serious, RA Ministry of Defense informed.

On January 19, around 01:30, under still unknown circumstances, a fire broke out in the shelter of the engineer sniper company of the N military unit of the RA Defense, located in the territory of Azat village, in Gegharkunik.

The Ministry of Defense reported that although firefighting works were carried out at the scene, there were casualties and injuries as a result of the fire. data is being verified.

According to the Rescue Service of the RA Ministry of Emergency Situations, the fire alarm was received at 01:15 at night. It was contained at 02:58 and extinguished at 06:33. The building (about 104 square meters) was burnt. 

Later, RA Health Minister Anahit Avanesyan informed that of the wounded servicemen are in the intensive care unit of the Burn Center, one of them has lighter injuries, he is a ward patient. 

The disaster must be prevented: Discussion on the Lachin Corridor issue in the European Parliament  

Such statements are not appropriate for a state that considers itself a partner of the EU, referring to the recent statements of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh during the discussion on "Humanitarian consequences of the blockade of Nagorno-Karabakh" in the European Parliament, MEP Marina Kaljurand said.      

Deputies of the European Parliament adopted a resolution on respecting human rights in Nagorno-Karabakh.

"Parliament deplores the severe humanitarian crisis caused by the current blockade of the Lachin Corridor in Nagorno-Karabakh by the self-proclaimed environmentalists of Azerbaijan. As the corridor is the only way connecting the war-torn region to Armenia and the outside world, MEPs call on Azerbaijan to reopen it immediately to ensure access to basic goods and services for the most vulnerable groups."

The resolution emphasizes the need for a comprehensive peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan, which will guarantee the rights and security of the Armenian population of Nagorno Karabakh. The resolution calls for international organizations to be allowed into the area to provide necessary humanitarian assistance, and for a UN or OSCE fact-finding mission to travel to the Lachine Corridor to assess the humanitarian situation on the ground.

Deputies of the European Parliament condemn the inactivity of the Russian "peacekeepers" present in the territory and believe that they should be replaced by OSCE international peacekeepers. They also call on the EU to ensure that the people of Nagorno-Karabakh are no longer held hostage by Baku's actions, Russia's destructive role, or the Minsk Group's inaction," the resolution reads.

We talked with Pashinyan about the steps to resume peace negotiations with Azerbaijan - Blinken

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken referred to the telephone conversation he had yesterday with RA Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

"I spoke with Prime Minister Pashinyan about steps to restart bilateral peace discussions with Azerbaijan, the only path for a durable peace between the two countries. I also expressed deep concern over the worsening humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh," he wrote on Twitter.

We want to see constructive dialogue put back on track between Armenia and Azerbaijan - Ned Price

Ned Price, US State Department Spokesperson referred to the latest developments in the peace process between Armenia and Azerbaijan during his regular press briefing. 
 
“We’re going to do what is ultimately most helpful. And at the end of last year, there were a couple of meetings that the Secretary chaired between his counterparts, a trilateral meeting between Armenia, and Azerbaijan, with Secretary Blinken in the middle. We did that at Blair House. We did that in New York. Of course, we’ve seen setbacks in Nagorno-Karabakh of late. We want to see constructive dialogue put back on track. We stand ready to engage bilaterally. We stand ready to engage with and through partners, through the OSCE or, if and when appropriate, trilaterally, as we have done in the past”, Price said.

A soldier was injured by enemy fire in Yeashkh: His condition is serious

On January 19, at around 10:50 a.m., a serviceman of the N military unit of the RA Defence Ministry Y. Sh. sustained a gunshot wound from Azerbaijan shooting at an Armenian combat position located in the direction of Yeraskh, RA Ministry of Defense reports.

The serviceman's health condition is assessed as serious. An investigation is being conducted to fully clarify the circumstances of the incident. 

CE Chairman of the Committee of Ministers calls for the reopening of the Lachin Corridor

Chairman of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, Iceland's Minister of Foreign Affairs Þórdís Kolbrún Reykfjörð Gylfadóttir spoke about the Lachin Corridor crisis.

He noted that he is concerned about the increasingly unstable humanitarian situation of the people living in Nagorno-Karabakh as a result of the one-month blockade of the Lachin Corridor.

Later, Azerbaijani MFA responded to the statement of the Chairman of the EC Committee of Ministers. It issued a statement expressing regret regarding the one-month blockade of the Lachin Corridor.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan also said that it "does not understand such attitude towards the peaceful demonstrations on Lachin road" and stated that the holding of protests is the right of Azerbaijani citizens and should be understood with respect.

Azerbaijan is not able to provide normal living conditions not only for Armenians but also for its own people - Ruben Vardanyan's interview with France 24

Artsakh Republic State Minister Ruben Vardanyan gave an interview with the prestigious French TV company France 24, presenting the situation in Artsakh. This is reported by the office of the Minister of State of Artsakh, noting that during the blockade of Artsakh by Azerbaijan, this is the second interview of the Minister of State of Artsakh with this TV company.

Answering the question of what the European Union can do and how it can help, Ruben Vardanyan noted that Europe can put pressure on the Aliyev regime, explain what sanctions can be applied against him, and show that 120 thousand is unacceptable. 30,000 people and 30,000 children are deprived of heating in winter conditions.

Secretary of the Council of Ministers Isabel Dumont presented the humanitarian crisis created in Nagorno-Karabakh due to the blocking of the Lachin Corridor

On January 19, Secretary of the Council of Ministers Armen Grigoryan had a telephone conversation with Isabelle Dumont, the diplomatic adviser of the President of the Republic of France, Emmanuel Macron, RA Security Council informs. 

Armen Grigoryan presented to Isabelle Dumont the humanitarian crisis created in Nagorno-Karabakh, which was caused by the blocking of the Lachin Corridor by Azerbaijan. The secretary emphasized the importance of making international efforts to resolve the situation.

The parties emphasized the importance of conducting continuous bilateral consultations in order to ensure stability and peace in the region.

Other News

• The foreign ministers of Armenia and the Netherlands had a telephone conversation.