Azerbaijan calls on ICRC not to misuse its mandate for political purposes
The Azerbaijan Foreign Ministry has said that the opposition of the Armenian side to the steps taken by Azerbaijan on the Lachin road once again proves that the claims of "tense humanitarian situation" in the Karabakh region are a means of political manipulation and pressure.
The ministry made the remarks in response to the statement by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) of July 25 regarding the region's humanitarian situation and the ICRC's activities, Caliber.Az reports per the ministry’s press service.
“As it is known, while assessing the firing at the Lachin border checkpoint on June 15, and the attempts of Armenian drivers to bring smuggled items to Azerbaijan in vehicles of the International Committee of the Red Cross as further illegal acts by Armenia against the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan, as well as hindering of operation of the checkpoint, we have demanded to stop such malign actions.
Along with preventing attempts of Armenia for illegal actions, the Azerbaijani side has continued important cooperation with the ICRC. Following the discussions held by Azerbaijan with the ICRC, conditions were created within necessary regulations for the continuation of the passage of Armenian residents through the border checkpoint for medical purposes by the ICRC, and dozens of Armenian residents passed through the checkpoint in both directions on a daily basis.
Moreover, assistance was offered by Azerbaijan for the transportation and delivery of larger quantities of medicine and cargo using the ‘Aghdam-Khankandi' road. Unfortunately, however, the Armenian side adamantly refuses this offer.
Furthermore, the visit of the ICRC medical personnel to the area to further assist in the passage of Armenian residents through the border checkpoint with the facilitation of ICRC was also regrettably refused on-site despite the previous agreements.
The opposition of the Armenian side to the steps taken by Azerbaijan, as well as its intention to assist, including the proposals to use the ‘Aghdam-Khankandi’ and other alternative roads as mentioned in the ICRC statement, once again proves that the claims of ‘tense humanitarian situation’ in the region are a means of political manipulation and pressure,” the ministry’s statement reads.
The ministry also emphasised the importance of complying with the humanitarian mandate of the ICRC, and refraining from the abuse of this mandate for political purposes.