Azerbaijani MFA responds to Lithuania's "regrettable" statement regarding protests

"It is surprising and regrettable that Lithuania, a Baltic country with which Azerbaijan has had extensive partnership relations for many years and which attaches special importance to the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity of international law in interstate relations and always adheres to these principles, made such a statement".

The Head of the Foreign Ministry’s Press Service, Aykhan Hajizade, made these remarks responding to a statement given by the Lithuanian foreign ministry on December 16, in which they expressed deep concern about the blockade of the "Lachin Corridor", which they claimed has caused a severe humanitarian crisis in the area, referred by the Lithuanian ministry as "Nagorno-Karabakh". They further claimed that these events were hindering the freedom of movement and the peace process in the South Caucasus, as Caliber.Az reports referring to the Azerbaijani ministry’s website.

“At the same time, this statement creates misunderstanding in the context of various discussions held during the visit of the President of the Republic of Lithuania Gitanas Nausėda to Azerbaijan in May of this year.

We remind the Lithuanian side that there is no territorial unit called "Nagorno-Karabakh" on the territory of Azerbaijan. Just as Lithuania is no longer called a "Pribaltika" state, it is unacceptable to call the Karabakh Economic Region of Azerbaijan by the past names formulated during the Soviet Union.

It is worrying that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania applies a biased and one-sided approach to the issue instead of protesting against the illegal economic activity, looting of natural resources, as well as the use of Lachin road for military provocations, the transfer of landmines to the territory of Azerbaijan, and for illegal economic activity.

The peaceful and legitimate protest of civil society institutions of Azerbaijan should be respected.

Regarding the claims on the humanitarian situation in the region, we once again declare that Azerbaijan is always ready to meet the humanitarian needs of the Armenian residents living in the territories of Azerbaijan, and there is no need for the intervention of a third party in this matter”, the press spokesperson said.