"Humanitarian aid" that violates territorial integrity Azerbaijani MFA responds to Armenia

Dispatch of car convoys to the sovereign territories of Azerbaijan, under the disguise of “humanitarian aid” and without agreement with our country, by the Armenian side, which cannot digest the existence of the Lachin border checkpoint established by the Republic of Azerbaijan in order to control its borders and prevent provocations by Armenia, is an attack on the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan and is another provocation against the Lachin border checkpoint, the Foreign Ministry of Azerbaijan said in a statement on July 26.

"The fact that the Armenian side took such a step right after the negotiations in Moscow, where among others detailed discussions on the current situation were held, shows that this country is not sincere in the process, and while escalating the situation, intends to mislead the international community. The mentioned provocation by Armenia, followed by a shooting on June 15 at our border guards in Lachin, and attempted smuggling cases, is a clear example of this country not giving up its insidious aggressive policy. This provocation once again demonstrates that Armenia’s claims of a “tense humanitarian situation in the region” are nothing more than the intention to continue manipulation and illegal activities by this country," reads the statement.

It adds that despite the fact that the Azerbaijani side put forward a number of proposals, including the use of the “Aghdam-Khankendi” road and other alternative routes, to meet the needs of the Armenian residents, that was supported by the European Union and the International Committee of the Red Cross, opposition by Armenian side to all the proposals, including the transportation of goods by the ICRC through the roads mentioned by Azerbaijan, obstruction of relevant humanitarian activities, blockage of access to the territory by placing concrete barriers on alternative roads, demonstrates that Armenian claims about the humanitarian situation are nothing than political blackmail.

"In addition to politicizing humanitarian activities, these steps by Armenia once again prove that they contradict their statements regarding recognising Azerbaijan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Involving the European Union Mission in Armenia and the diplomatic corps as a tool in the aforementioned provocation demonstrates that this was a pre-planned action. We once again demand to stop such provocations by Armenia," it concludes.

Meanwhile, the ministry's Spokesperson Aykhan Hajizada called Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's remarks on the deliveries of the so-called "humanitarian aid" a "pure provocation and manipulation".

"Dispatch of car convoys to the sovereign territories of Azerbaijan, under the disguise of “humanitarian aid” and without Azerbaijan’s consent, is an attack on its territorial integrity and sovereignty," he wrote on Twitter, according to Caliber.Az.