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President of Nagorno Karabakh warns of “unprecedented challenge” as Azerbaijan blocks Lachin Corridor
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YEREVAN, DECEMBER 12, ARMENPRESS. President of Artsakh Arayik Harutyunyan addressed citizens after the Lachin Corridor was blocked by Azerbaijan on December 12.
“The Azerbaijani side has already for the second time closed the only highway linking Artsakh with Armenia and the world under false and made-up arguments. First of all, this aggressive behavior of Azerbaijan through which it terrorizes our population and jeopardizes our vital rights and interests is very unacceptable for us. This is an unprecedented challenge for our state and people, and I am calling on the entire society to unite and remain calm because one of the goals of the Azerbaijani government is to incite domestic division and panic in Artsakh.
The government and people of Artsakh have clear values, principles and red lines, and we are utilizing and will utilize all possible measures, sometimes not visible, for their protection.
We are sure that the Russian peacekeeping contingent, as the guarantor of security of our people and the road, will use all instruments to prevent such provocations and violations of agreements aimed against the vital rights and interests of our people.
The other actors in the international community also have important tasks, because the actions of the Azerbaijani side are a gross violation of well-known international law norms, and Azerbaijan seeks to commit ethnic cleansing and achieve the loss of homeland of the population of Artsakh. Artsakh has been and will remain Armenian through our united and resolute efforts, despite all challenges,” President Harutyunyan said.
A group of Azerbaijanis describing themselves as “environmentalists” again blocked the Lachin Corridor in the morning of December 12.
The Lachin Corridor is the only road connecting Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh) with Armenia.
A similar incident took place earlier on December 3. Then, the authorities of Artsakh said that the self-described Azeri environmentalists were actually secret service operatives seeking to make provocations. Moreover, Artsakh authorities evensaidthey are ready for an international monitoring organization to assess and affirm that the mining operations meet all safety requirements.
