Former NATO Secretary General claims blocking Lachin Corridor is illegal

"The last time I visited Armenia was in 2012 as the Secretary General of NATO. Many things have happened since then. I met with the Prime Minister, the Foreign Minister, and the Defense Minister yesterday, and commended the government to solidify democracy in Armenia", Anders Fogh Rasmussen, former Secretary General of NATO, Founder, and Chairman of "Rasmussen Global" international political consulting organization, said this at a press briefing in Jermuk city, Vayots Dzor, Armenia.

According to him, he arrived on the invitation of Armenia to help the Armenian government to strengthen ties with the West and the EU.

"Yesterday I had meetings in Yerevan, and today I visited the southern parts of Armenia to watch with my own eyes the impact of Azerbaijan's aggression against Armenia. I just visited the wonderful city of Jermuk, and the mayor has told me ho the Azeri attacks in September last year have had a negative impact on tourism in this city," Rasmussen said.

Earlier Rasmussen had visited the entrance of the Lachin Corridor.

"As you know, Lachin Pass is the only link between Armenia and the Armenian population in Nagorno-Karabakh. Since December last year, the road between Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh has been blocked. This blockade is inhumane and illegal. I met with people who lived in Nagorno-Karabakh, and a nurse told me about the very critical humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh.

The blockade means that no food or life-saving medicine only a very small amount, can be transported into NK, and it means there is a lack of food and life-saving medicine in NK. We have faced a humanitarian crisis that could develop into a humanitarian catastrophe. This blockade is illegal," Rasmussen said.

He reminded that a few weeks ago the International Court of Justice ruled that Azerbaijan has an obligation to open the corridor for transport and free access to Nagorno Karabakh.

"It is a binding ruling, which means that Azerbaijan has an obligation to open the corridor for free access. That's why I send a very clear message to President Aliyev of Azerbaijan: dissolve the blockade immediately," said the former NATO Secretary General.