Azerbaijani MFA responds to Armenia's attempts of escalating situation regarding Lachin road UPDATE

18:12

The latest statement made on January 3 by the Armenian foreign ministry regarding the protests on the Lachin road is absolutely unjustified and aimed at disorienting international partners and to artificially escalate the situation.

As the Azerbaijani foreign ministry told Caliber.Az, it is not surprising that the Armenian foreign ministry expressed such an opinion amid the protests carried out by the Azerbaijani public ahainst the illegal exploitation of our natural resources during the 30 year-lasting occupation of Azerbaijani lands by Armenia. It seems like Armenia is still interested in continuing their illegal economic and other activities on Azerbaijani territories.

"It is well known that for more than one year, that is, since November 2021, the Azerbaijani government has made appeals to suppress illegal economic activities on the territory of the Azerbaijan Republic, where the Russian peacekeeping contingent is temporarily deployed. The last time the authorities tried to resolve the issue through negotiations was on December 3-10. Despite all efforts, the Armenian side ignored the appeals, prevented representatives of specialized structures from visiting the territory and attempted to continue illegal activities. It was all of these actions that prompted a just protest from the Azerbaijani public, who were holding a peaceful rally demanding an end to the abuse of the Lachin road, which was intended solely for humanitarian purposes.

Every statement against this protest is unacceptable and is considered a direct violation of the norms and principles of international law, the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, as well as a disrespect for the rights of protesters and the country's Constitution, which enshrines the clause that all natural resources on its territory belong to the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Allegations that the protests allegedly led to the closure of the Lachin road and caused a humanitarian crisis are equally unfounded. It is an undeniable fact that vehicles, ambulances, International Committee of the Red Cross [ICRC] vehicles and peacekeeping contingent have unimpeded passage along this road throughout the day. The Azerbaijani side also expressed its readiness to promptly address any humanitarian needs the Armenian residents may face.

Despite claims by the Azerbaijani side that Armenian residents can use the road for its intended purpose, provocateurs posing as representatives of Armenians living in Karabakh dissuade the population from using the road, and once again prove that it is they, who, by misleading others, aim to continue their illegal actions.

Regarding the accusations of violation of the trilateral statement, I would like to remind you that contrary to the document signed by the Armenian leader as well, illegally extracted natural resources are being transported to Armenia via the Lachin road, the military equipment of the Armenian armed forces, which is still not fully withdrawn from Azerbaijani territory, is still being carried out and the mine threat in our lands remains. The Armenian side is well aware that these and other unlawful actions, in particular the illegal entry of citizens of third countries into our territories, are a gross violation of the trilateral statement.

Despite the manipulations of the Armenian Foreign Ministry in connection with the UN Security Council meeting on 20 December 2022, almost all member states of the UN Security Council have called for the implementation of commitments under the trilateral statement and mutual recognition and respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, thereby strengthening Azerbaijan's position. Armenia's calls to send a mission to Azerbaijan are seen as another provocation against the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and should be combated at the root.

The accusations voiced against Azerbaijan by the Armenian Foreign Ministry of deportation and ethnic cleansing are absurd and are nothing but an attempt to conceal the systematic and consistent policy of ethnic cleansing carried out by Armenians against Azerbaijanis in the 20th century in the territories of Armenia and Azerbaijan. The deportations and ethnic cleansing of around one million Azerbaijanis since 1987, when territorial claims were once again made against Azerbaijan, and the massacres of Azerbaijanis are a historical fact. However, it is worth recalling that even during the 44-day war, the number of Azerbaijani civilians killed in territories far away from the war zone was many times higher than the reported number of Armenian civilian deaths. All this is incontrovertible evidence as to which side was targeting civilians.

Azerbaijan once again calls on Armenia to respect the obligations under international law and the trilateral statement, to refrain from actions directed against the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, and to stop aggressive political and military provocations. Azerbaijan's position on the issue of regional peace, stability and development is principled and consistent, and we will continue to take measures based on international law and established international experience", the statement by the Azerbaijani ministry read.

14:27

Caliber.Az recalls, that the Armenian foreign ministry alleged on January 3 that the population was "being held hostage" in Khankendi as the Armenian branch of Sputnik agency reported. The ministry have also appealed to the UN yet again and requested to deploy a international fact-finding mission to the region.

14:11

The latest statement made on January 3 by the Armenian foreign ministry regarding the protests on the Lachin road is absolutely unjustified and aimed at disorienting international partners and to artifically escalate the situation.

As the Azerbaijani foreign ministry told Caliber.Az, it is not surprising that the Armenian foreign ministry expressed such an opinion amid the protests carried out by the Azerbaijani public ahainst the illegal exploitation of our natural resources during the 30 year-lasting occupation of Azerbaijani lands by Armenia. It seems like Armenia is still interested in continuing their illegal economic and other activities on Azerbaijani territories.

This news story will be updated.