Artsakh Foreign Ministry: The complete reinstatement of the operation of the Lachin Corridor must be ensured

Once again, we emphasise that international actors involved
in the resolution of the Azerbaijan-Karabakh conflict must ensure the complete
reinstatement of the operation of the Lachin Corridor, ensuring the free, safe
and unimpeded movement of persons, vehicles and cargo in both directions, in
line with the Trilateral Statement of 9 November 2020 and the Orders of the
International Court of Justice. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Artsakh
issued a statement on the delivery of humanitarian aid to Artsakh.. 

“On 18 September 2023, around 28 tons of humanitarian aid,
comprising wheat flour, medical supplies and hygiene items, were transported to
Artsakh through the Lachin Corridor and the Akna (Agdam) – Stepanakert road,
using vehicles of the International Committee of the Red Cross. This
humanitarian mission has been the result of extensive talks involving the
International Committee of the Red Cross, the command of the Russian
peacekeeping forces in Artsakh and international mediators, and was undertaken
in response to the extremely critical humanitarian situation brought about by
the complete blockade imposed by Azerbaijan.

At the same time, it is important to emphasise that Artsakh
continues to remain under siege, being deprived of essential gas and
electricity supplies from Armenia and the ability to sustain the normal way of
life of its population. It should be also stressed that, without reliable and
regular deliveries of food and essential supplies, it is impossible to address
the escalating humanitarian catastrophe.

This humanitarian cargo delivery, amounting to less than 7%
of the daily 400-ton import of goods to Artsakh before the blockade, falls
significantly short of replacing the regular commercial deliveries, both in
terms of volume and the diversity of essential goods needed to sustain a normal
way of life and support the natural development of Artsakh.

Once again, we emphasise that international actors involved
in the resolution of the Azerbaijan-Karabakh conflict must ensure the complete
reinstatement of the operation of the Lachin Corridor, ensuring the free, safe
and unimpeded movement of persons, vehicles and cargo in both directions, in
line with the Trilateral Statement of 9 November 2020 and the Orders of the
International Court of Justice. Only in this case can we talk about the end of
the blockade and the subsequent restoration of normal life conditions, enabling
the full realisation of the individual and collective rights of the people of
Artsakh, including their fundamental right to freedom of movement, access to
healthcare, education and development.