YEREVAN, JANUARY 26, ARMENPRESS. State Minister of Artsakh Ruben Vardanyan visited towns and villages in Askeran region to meet with citizens.

Speaking about the reasons of the Azeri blockade of Lachin Corridor, Vardanyan said that Azerbaijan is trying by all means to break the spirit of the Armenians of Artsakh and achieve an exodus of Armenians from Artsakh through pressure. Vardanyan said he is proud to see the resilience of the Armenians of Artsakh.

“We are forced to go through these challenges to keep Artsakh Armenian and for the protection of our right to live with dignity on our land. This is a difficult path, I can’t promise you that we won’t have problems, but I assure you that this is the only way which will allow us to save our homeland,” Vardanyan said.

Residents said they are ready to withstand all hardships as they see no alternative to that path.