Azerbaijani envoy to Italy dismisses Armenia's lies
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POLITICS  02 February 2023 - 11:10

The Lachin-Khankendi road is open for transportation for humanitarian purposes. The action of Azerbaijani eco-activists is aimed at suppressing the illegal exploitation of mineral deposits by Armenians on the territory of our country.

Azerbaijani Ambassador to Italy Rashad Aslanov made the remarks in his letter to the editorial office of La Repubblica newspaper in response to an unfounded article published by the newspaper about the "blockade" and "humanitarian crisis" on the Lachin-Khankendi road, Azertag reports.

"Unfortunately, this article is a continuation of the false news and slanderous campaign carried out against Azerbaijan in recent weeks. In the autumn of 2020, Azerbaijan put an end to the conflict by liberating its territories that had been under Armenian occupation for almost 30 years. The trilateral statement signed by the leaders of Azerbaijan, Armenia and Russia in November 2020 laid the foundation for the normalisation of the situation in the entire region. By joint statements adopted in Prague and Sochi in October 2022, Azerbaijan and Armenia officially recognised each other's territorial integrity and sovereignty.

"As for what has been happening in the past few weeks, the trilateral statement signed in 2020 states that the Lachin road can only be used for humanitarian purposes. Armenia, grossly violating the provisions of the trilateral declaration, during these two years used the road for the transfer of weapons and anti-personnel mines, which were then laid on the territory of Azerbaijan. The Armenians also illegally exploited mineral deposits on the territory of Azerbaijan and carried out illegal trafficking of our natural resources along the Lachin road, where the Russian peacekeeping contingent is temporarily stationed. Contrary to Armenia's statements, there is no blockade and humanitarian crisis on the Lachin road. The road is open for humanitarian purposes.

"The peaceful action against the illegal exploitation of Azerbaijan's natural resources began on December 12. From December 12 to January 15, more than 1,200 vehicles passed freely along the Lachin-Khankendi road. An average of 30 cars pass in both directions every day. Not a single local resident experiences obstacles to travel. Vehicles of the International Committee of the Red Cross are evacuating patients, and conditions have been created for the delivery of medicines and food. Azerbaijan does not hide its concern that some persons posing as representatives of local Armenian residents deliberately interfere with the use of the road to aggravate the situation. The obstacle here is the Armenian side and the illegal regime reigning in the territories of Azerbaijan. I take this opportunity to state once again that Azerbaijan is committed to peace, stability and development in the region," the letter reads.

It should be noted that the letter from the Azerbaijani ambassador was published in the newspaper.

Caliber.Az