Statue of a Dictator (Aliyev Clan)

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Armenpress.am

Dutch FM sends letter to the country's parliament regarding the alleged war crimes committed by Azerbaijan

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19:32, 24 November 2022

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 24, ARMENPRESS. Dutch Foreign Minister Wopke Hoekstra sent a letter to the Dutch Parliament regarding alleged war crimes committed by Azerbaijan. ARMENPRESS infomrs, in the letter, the Foreign Minister reminds that the EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus, Toivo Klaar, in his October 2 tweet, expressed his disgust regarding the video, in which Azerbaijani soldiers supposedly shoot Armenian prisoners of war. In his tweet, he called for an independent investigation and, if the authenticity of the video is confirmed, to prosecute the culprits.

"The press secretary of the European External Action Service (EEAS) Peter Stano, at the press conference held on October 3, called on the Azerbaijani authorities to conduct an independent investigation into the alleged violation of the laws of war presented in the video. The Prosecutor General's Office of Azerbaijan announced on the same day that it will investigate the events shown in this video. Therefore, the Netherlands discussed the events of the video in a conversation with the ambassador of Azerbaijan on Wednesday, October 5, expressing disgust for what was shown in the video and called on Azerbaijan to start an impartial and independent investigation," the letter states.

It was also emphasized in the conversation that the Netherlands, together with international partners, will closely follow the investigation.

"The results of this investigation must be published, and the alleged criminals must be brought to justice by the competent authorities. The Ambassador of Azerbaijan confirmed in the conversation that the Azerbaijani authorities have started an investigation into the events of the video, and noted that it will be carried out independently. The Ambassador of the Netherlands to Baku has repeatedly conveyed this message to high-ranking Azerbaijani officials. Furthermore, the Netherlands has repeatedly emphasized the importance of this video and its independent investigation in the European context, including in discussions at the Working Party on Eastern Europe and Central Asia (COEST), the European External Action Service (EEAS) as well as with the team of the Special Representative in the South Caucasus.

The Netherlands will continue to insist on an independent investigation and the publication of its findings, and will follow developments closely. All EU countries support the EU mediation process. The Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the spokesperson of the EU spoke about the video and called on Azerbaijan to conduct an independent investigation. The Netherlands does not know whether any other country has also invited the ambassador of Azerbaijan to address this issue," the letter says.

The letter from the Dutch Foreign Minister states that the Ministry of Defense of Armenia has confirmed the authenticity of the video, and Bellingcat published its investigation into the authenticity of the video on October 20.

"According to that analysis, there is sufficient certainty of authenticity. Human Rights Watch analyzed the video and called for an independent investigation and responsibility by the Azerbaijani authorities," the Dutch Foreign Minister concluded.

 

 

https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1098098.html?fbclid=IwAR2JS-BDVQ65DoHltPb2eVmVhK0QZGHPVZ8qXMeRZYDyktbQqChH8MLaSyE

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Asbarez.com

Calling Armenia ‘Russia’s Slave,’ Aliyev Says Armenian History is Fake

by Asbarez Staff

November 25, 2022

in Armenia, Artsakh, Featured Story, Latest, News, Top Stories

President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan speaks at a forum in Baku on Nov. 25 (Azertaj photo)

President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan on Friday called Armenia “undeveloped,” “dependent on Russia” and “Russia’s slave,” saying that Armenians need psychological assistance and that Armenian history was fake and fabricated. He also called Armenia’s former president Serzh Sarkisian a “war criminal.”

The Azerbaijani leader’s latest rant against Armenia took place while speaking to foreign reporters and experts before meeting with Toivo Klaar, the European Union’s Special Representative to the Caucasus, with whom he discussed normalization of relations with Armenia and talks regarding a so-called peace treaty.

Earlier on Friday, Aliyev announced that he would not meet with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on December 7 in Brussels, saying Armenia was attempting to thwart peace negotiations because Yerevan requested the presence of President Emmanuel Macron of France at the scheduled meeting.

Aliyev also told the foreign reports that he had warned Pashinyan after he became Armenia’s prime minister that Azerbaijan will not tolerate occupations. “We will destroy you,” Aliyev said he told Pashinyan, saying that was neither posturing or showmanship. “We simply knew what we are capable of and what Armenia can do,” the Azerbaijani leader said.

Aliyev added that Pashinyan only changed his rhetoric after the 2020 war, saying the Armenian leader does not understand how honest we were being. “Maybe, [he] needs another cold shower,” Aliyev said of Pashinyan.

The Azerbaijani leader, once again, stressed that the so-called “Zangezur Corridor” will become a reality despite Yerevan’s numerous claims that such a such a plan has not been discussed during any discussions with mediators.

Aliyev insisted that Yerevan cannot block this demand by Azerbaijan, adding that Armenia’s other neighbor, Iran, will not become an obstacle to this plan. He said that currently Baku and Moscow are in talks about the “corridor,” and because Armenia is a “Russian satellite” he is not wasting his time to engage in talks with Yerevan about this matter.

He said he believes that Iran will not become an obstacle because it, too, is interested in opening of transit routes in the region. “These plans are not directed against any country. On the contrary they will only work toward everyone’s interests,” Aliyev said.

Iranian leaders, including the country’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on numerous occasions have warned about any changes in the current borders and stressed the need for respect of nations’ territorial integrity.

https://asbarez.com/calling-armenia-russias-slave-aliyev-says-armenian-history-is-fake/?fbclid=IwAR1re0AO8z_JLIO1vqVKhLhwCpCq3wqqPWz8wPuM2bU1_34nephpDKIXkeo

[MosJan]

[Yervant1]

Nov 28 2022

Fears for new Nagorno-Karabakh crisis as Azerbaijan threatens key road link An uptick in violence and rising political tensions are calling attention to the fate of the sole road in and out of the breakaway territory.Gabriel Gavin Nov 28, 2022

Increasingly fiery rhetoric and daily reports of clashes along the tense line of contact around Nagorno-Karabakh have sparked fears of a new conflict over the only remaining road link connecting the breakaway region to the outside world.

The Lachin Corridor, which connects Karabakh to Armenia through a sliver of Azerbaijani-controlled territory, has been under the supervision of Russian peacekeepers since the 2020 war.

Azerbaijan now is accusing Armenians of using the highway to transport weapons and other materiel in contravention of the terms of the ceasefire agreement that ended the 2020 war.

“The corridor is not being used for its intended purpose and this must be stopped,” Azerbaijan Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov told journalists on November 25. He claimed that Baku had evidence that landmines manufactured in 2021 had been shipped from Yerevan to the region in recent months.

Armenia has denied the accusations; Ambassador-at-large Edmon Marukyan said that the allegations amounted to a pretext to “create false grounds to dispute [the] Lachin Corridor.”

The Russia-brokered 2020 ceasefire agreement required the Karabakh Armenians to give up the previous version of the Lachin Corridor, which had linked their isolated community to Armenia, as well as several towns and villages along it. In its place a new route that runs further south, largely constructed by Azerbaijani workers, opened to traffic in August.

 

 

But as Azerbaijan seeks to push Armenia into a comprehensive peace agreement, it is continuing to exert military pressure on Armenians as it calls into question the Lachin Corridor. The recent increase in tension has again raised fears that a new escalation could be in the cards.

Over the past few weeks, there has been a sharp spike in the number of ceasefire violations reported by both Armenia and Azerbaijan, with Baku repeatedly claiming over the course of several consecutive days that its troops had come under fire from “illegal armed detachments” in Nagorno-Karabakh. The Armenian Karabakh armed forces, known as the Artsakh Defense Army, have called the claims “disinformation” and Russian peacekeepers have reported that it is in fact Azerbaijani forces who have been violating the ceasefire.

Baku has called on all ethnic Armenian forces in Nagorno-Karabakh to disband, while locals fear that if they do, Azerbaijani troops will move in and they could be displaced from their homes – or worse.

Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev has repeatedly expressed frustration that the Lachin Corridor remains open while Yerevan refuses to allow it to use a 35-kilometer stretch of land in the south of Armenia connecting mainland Azerbaijan and its exclave of Nakhchivan. Baku insists that what it calls the “Zangezur Corridor” was agreed as part of the deal that ended the 2020 war and that Armenia has been dragging its feet on implementation; for its part Yerevan argues it only has an obligation to reopen its border to vehicle traffic from the neighboring country.

“The Zangezur Corridor is the responsibility of Armenia,” Aliyev said during a speech in early November. “For two years, we have not been interfering with the cars moving from Armenia to Karabakh and in the opposite direction along the Lachin road. […] How much longer are we supposed to wait?” In recent days, negotiations appear to have broken down, and Aliyev has revealed he is holding talks with Moscow instead of Yerevan on the issue, describing Armenia as a Russian “satellite country” whose independence is merely “symbolic.”

Meanwhile, a rift has opened up between the Kremlin and Armenia after an Azerbaijani offensive in September and the refusal of the Russia-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) to intervene on Armenia’s behalf.

At a summit in Yerevan on November 24 and 25, members of the organization failed to agree on an action plan to resolve the conflict after Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan refused to sign off on its proposals. Instead, Armenia has increasingly been seeking support from the United States and Europe. And Aliyev on November 25 abruptly canceled a European Union-brokered meeting with Pashinyan over the proposed involvement of French President Emmanuel Macron.

Baku is not prepared to wait indefinitely on its demands for the handover of the Zangezur Corridor and the disbanding of Karabakh Armenian forces, a senior Azerbaijani official told Eurasianet. “Diplomatic options have almost been exhausted,” the official said on condition of anonymity. “What if we were to install a [border] post at the entrance of Lachin and finish the whole process? How can you breathe with no air?”

In Stepanakert, the de facto capital of the unrecognized state of Artsakh, concern is growing over the prospect of Baku limiting movement to and from the region. “Everybody is waiting for a new escalation,” Tigran Grigoryan, an Armenia-based political analyst, told Eurasianet. The precarious transport link is “not just a vulnerability but an existential threat,” he said. “If Azerbaijan has any kind of control or presence on the Lachin Corridor, the majority of the population will question the possibility of staying because that is the only road connecting Nagorno-Karabakh to the outside world.”

Speaking at a cabinet meeting earlier in November, Pashinyan warned that Aliyev’s rhetoric represented an attempt “to create grounds, invented grounds, for closing the Lachin Corridor, surrounding the Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians, and subjecting them to genocide and expatriation, under the pretext of Armenia not fulfilling its obligations.”

Across the border, the prospect of another conflict looms large as well. “We have really seen a deterioration of the situation over the past month,” Vasif Huseynov, head of department at the Azerbaijani state-run think tank Center of Analysis of International Relations. “According to the [2020] trilateral statement, the Lachin Corridor can be used only for humanitarian purposes. The violation of this makes Azerbaijan use various instruments under its disposal to stop illegal use of the corridor by Armenians,” he adds. “With the interference of external actors like Macron and Russia, and the breakdown in diplomacy, all this suggests that new escalations unfortunately cannot be excluded.”

Gabriel Gavin is a British journalist covering the former Soviet Union and Turkey.

https://eurasianet.org/fears-for-new-nagorno-karabakh-crisis-as-azerbaijan-threatens-key-road-link

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Armenpress.am

U.S. Ambassador-designate pledges to help Armenians to document atrocities committed by Azerbaijani servicemen

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11:59, 1 December 2022

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 1, ARMENPRESS. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chair Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) stressed the importance of the U.S. holding Azerbaijan accountable for its war crimes and clearly condemning Azerbaijani aggression against Armenians, during the Senate confirmation hearing for Biden Administration nominees for U.S. Ambassador to Armenia and Russia, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

In questions to U.S. Ambassador to Armenia Lynne Tracy, who has been nominated for the U.S. ambassadorial post in Russia, Chairman Menendez expressed dismay that State Department officials recently evaded inquiries about videos depicting Azerbaijan’s murder and mutilation of Armenian captives, during what the Chairman described as “one of the most disappointing hearings I have ever conducted.” In response to Amb. Tracy’s reference to outreach to the Armenia Human Rights Ombudsperson regarding the investigation of the videos, Chairman Menendez demanded more. “We need our ambassadors, particularly in places of conflict, to be able to pursue what the truth is, so that we, as policymakers, can decide what to do about that truth,” stated Sen. Menendez.

Later, when U.S. Ambassador to Armenia-designate Kristina Kvien pledged to do her “best to help the Armenians with any requests they have to document” atrocities depicted in these videos, Chairman Menendez was adamant. “I don’t want requests from Armenians, I want us to be proactive so that we can make a determination,” stated Chairman Menendez, explaining that Senators need the facts about the Azerbaijani war crimes and aggression when deciding the enforcement of Section 907 restrictions on U.S. aid to Azerbaijan. “I want an ambassador who is going to pro-actively help us determine whether executions, whether these mutilations, whether these other activities are true or not […] so that we as policymakers can make a decision. Can I depend upon you to do that,” asked Chairman Menendez.

“Yes, Senator, and I will go further to say that accountability for crimes of this nature are very important to me, and I will work to make sure there is accountability as well,” stated, Ambassador-designate Kvien. Offering the last word, Chairman Menendez remarked, “Without accountability, there is no justice.”

Building on Chairman Menendez’ exchange, Senator Van Hollen stressed the importance of accountability, sharing his dismay at Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Karen Donfried and State Department Senior Advisor for Caucasus Negotiations Philip Reeker’s refusal to clearly identify Azerbaijan as the aggressor during the recent attacks, when the testified at the November 16th hearing. “It was very well documented in September by independent press sources that Azerbaijan launched attacks and engaged in different types of atrocities,” stated Sen. Van Hollen. “I understand the importance of being a mediator, but in order to be a credible mediator, in my view, you have to at least begin with the facts – and be willing to publicly state them.”

On U.S. aid to Artsakh, Chairman Menendez noted that he is “deeply concerned that neither the State Department nor USAID have provided the humanitarian assistance necessary to assist the 100,000 displaced by the Nagorno Karabakh war of 2020 or the current needs of those who still reside in the region.” The Chairman went on to secure a public commitment from US Ambassador-designate to Armenia Kvien to support a U.S. humanitarian needs assessment for the victims of Azerbaijan’s aggression in Artsakh and Armenia.

Regarding the proper acknowledgment of the Armenian Genocide, Chairman Menendez stated “I am glad to see a nominee who actually calls the Armenian Genocide a ‘genocide,’ noting that he had, in the past, stopped nominees who denied the Armenian Genocide in their responses to Senate inquiries.

 

 

https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1098575.html?fbclid=IwAR2UtfpA05j3M7lOq2-IP5H0ilteDl3I2ozkAzLdJxmEy2IF-lTG0nX96TA

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Armenpress.am

Armenian Ombudswoman presents facts about Azerbaijani war crimes at meeting in USA

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12:49, 6 December 2022

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 6, ARMENPRESS. On December 6, Human Rights Defender of Armenia Ms. Kristinne Grigoryan met Ms. Erica Olson, the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State overseeing policy for Southern Europe and the Caucasus, in Washington, the Office of the Ombudswoman said.

The Defender expressed her gratitude for the efforts made by the State Department toward the repatriation of Armenian prisoners of war. She also presented the problems and emotional difficulties that the family members of the prisoners of war are going through given the provocative information environment created by the Azerbaijani side.

The Deputy Assistant Ms. Olson noted that they are continuing their work aimed at solving many humanitarian issues, including the return of prisoners of war, and clarifying the fate of missing persons, etc.

The Defender presented to Ms. Olson the ad hoc reports of the Defender’s Office, which documented and analyzed the continuous violations of human rights during and after the Azerbaijani military aggression on September 13-14, 2022, and the humanitarian problems faced by people living in the communities that were attacked. The reports also included facts about the war crimes which were confirmed by the Defender’s Office based on a specific methodology, as well as the testimonies of repatriated prisoners of war concerning the facts of torture and inhuman treatment during their detention in Azerbaijan.

The Defender emphasized the responsibility of the perpetrators of war crimes and the inevitability of their punishment, regardless of their nationality.

Ms. Erika Olson highly valued the work done by the Defender’s institution and expressed her gratitude for the timely and impartial presentation of important information.

 

 

https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1098933.html?fbclid=IwAR3xEQ_HX_IpAXtYjRAFK090RqdJkyOaGk2iQbPrJs5mKHJ11iCYHv7Mfi4

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Armenpress.am

Preliminary investigation confirms use of phosphorus bomb by Azerbaijan during the war. Artsakh Prosecutor's Office

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18:15, 9 December 2022

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 9, ARMENPRESS. In order to investigate the circumstances of the aggressive war unleashed against the Republic of Artsakh by Azerbaijan on September 27, 2020, coupled with gross violations of international humanitarian law, a number of criminal cases were initiated by the law enforcement bodies of the Republic of Artsakh, within the scope of which the pre-investigative body confiscated many unexploded shells and remnants of shells, and examinations were appointed.

As ARMENPRESS was informed from the Prosecutor’s Office of Artsakh, the unexploded rocket found in the administrative area of Martuni city of Artsakh and the samples obtained from it were also submitted for examination. According to the conclusion given as a result of the examination carried out by an independent expert group (the conclusion was received on 07.12.2022) it was proved that it is a phosphorus munition consisting of white phosphorus.

The whole process of detection, neutralization and sampling of munitions was carried out with the participation of specialists, the process was video recorded, the subject of research and examination materials can be submitted to the research of international experts if necessary.

Thus, according to the results of the expert research, it was confirmed that during the 44-day war in 2020, the armed forces of Azerbaijan directly targeted the civilian settlements with chemical weapons, causing mass destruction and a large number of human losses, suffering and damage (a number of videos testifying to the use of chemical weapons were published during the war and after). In this way, Azerbaijan grossly violated Article 35 of the Geneva Convention (Protocol 1), according to which:

1. In any armed conflict, the right of the Parties to the conflict to choose methods or means of warfare is not unlimited.
2. It is prohibited to employ weapons, projectiles and material and methods of warfare of a nature to cause superfluous injury or unnecessary suffering.
3. It is prohibited to employ methods or means of warfare which are intended, or may be expected, to cause widespread, long-term and severe damage to the natural environment.

https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1099292.html?fbclid=IwAR2I1MVfW5_pmcUZwi_RivUjW-xnWo3tJna8jcUB83eVH7IdeBZLs2OsVe0

[Yervant1]

Dec 9 2022

The French Assembly Works to End the Destruction of Armenia

• December 9, 2022

12/09/2022 Armenia (International Christian Concern) – The French Assembly voted on November 30th to unanimously adopt a resolution in support of Armenia. This resolution called for sanction against Azerbaijan for their violations and assaults against the sovereign territory of Armenia.

By condemning the military aggression of Azerbaijan on September 13th-14th, the national assembly is also calling for an end to their military occupation and immediate unconditional withdrawal from the republic of Armenia. According to Panorama Day News “lawmakers also called on the French government to work within the United Nations and consider the deployment of an international force capable of ensuring the end to hostilities…” Part of this effort also includes working with the European Union and the United States to promote a lasting peace treaty and maintain diplomatic relationships between Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia. Other parts of this resolution involve active humanitarian aid and a call to hold Azerbaijan accountable for war crimes against Armenia.

While these efforts are steps towards resolving the disastrous scenario in Armenia, many families have been destroyed over the years, and most recently the attack on September 13th killed over hundreds of people. ICC’s recent news post on the matter states “Azerbaijan launched an attack that resulted in over 200+ confirmed deaths of Armenian soldiers and an unknown number of civilian deaths and injuries… Armenian soldiers are [being] arrested for acts of terrorism, while there are also allegations that they are being put to death, which is a serious breach of the Geneva Conventions… Through these actions, Azerbaijan’s president has made it clear that he wants to eradicate the Armenian race and culture from “his” lands and by any means necessary.” Armenia is historically Christian and Azerbaijan’s efforts to ethnically cleanse and persecute them should not be swept under the rug.

https://theparadise.ng/the-french-assembly-works-to-end-the-destruction-of-armenia/

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Armenpress.am

Pashinyan calls on int’l community to take seriously concerns of Armenians of NK about threat of genocide

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11:04, 12 December 2022

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 12, ARMENPRESS. The representatives of Armenia emphasize the first genocide of the 20th century – the Armenian Genocide committed by the Ottoman Empire, but today also the threat and danger of genocide in our region is viewed as a pressing issue which requires prevention, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said in his remarks during the 4th Global Forum Against the Crime of Genocide in Yerevan.

“It’s already the 4th time Armenia is hosting the Global Forum Against the Crime of Genocide. I want to welcome first of all the participants - our partners, officials, scientists, diplomats, politicians and IT specialists who have the mandate to prevent genocides and other mass crimes, who ensure the protection of human rights, restoration of justice and truth. On December 8th, 1948, the UN General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. Years after the adoption of the Convention, in 2015, at the initiative of Armenia and with the broad support of the international community, it was possible adopt the International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime. In this context I want to note that during the previous global forums, unfortunately, we have started to consider genocide not only as a historical event, not only as a historical legacy, but also a threat that we face all around the world in various regions, and preventing genocide indeed becomes a very pressing issue”, the PM said.

Pashinyan said that in recent period there are more and more dangers, particularly the representatives of Armenians of Nagorno Karabakh are raising their concerns about the potential genocide as a threat.

“I believe all of us and the international community should take it seriously. We thought that the trilateral statement signed on November 9, 2020, created mechanisms to prevent the potential genocide of Armenians of Nagorno Karabakh, but, unfortunately, step-by-step we noticed and continue to see realities that make the concerns being raised more and more materialized”, the PM said.

 

 

https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1099371.html?fbclid=IwAR22loSK_snyG4OA42jRJOuGZIoBsoXfV_V3iYz0Ow7L7sY3uPaHQj8nroI

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Armenpress.am

Co-Founder of Lemkin Institute sees need for sanctions against Azerbaijan to prevent another genocide against Armenians

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14:27, 12 December 2022

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 12, ARMENPRESS. Elisa von Joeden-Forgey, Co-Founder and Co-President of the Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention, endowed Chair in Holocaust and Genocide Studies, Keene State College, USA, highlights the role of the international community on putting pressure on Azerbaijan to refuse from genocidal intentions against Armenians of Nagorno Karabakh and Armenia.

In response to the question of ARMENPRESS within the framework of the 4^th Global Forum Against the Crime of Genocide, Elisa von Joeden-Forgey said the international community can do a lot more than it has already done to prevent a new genocide. She said “this is a genocide that can be prevented”.

“Taking action now will, I believe, stave off another genocide against Armenians or at the very least the threat is extreme enough that these actions must be taken. Otherwise, all of our slogans of “Never Again” will hollow. The international community first and foremost needs to put pressure on Turkey and Azerbaijan so that Turkey and Azerbaijan know that they are not working in a space of impunity”, she said.

Elisa von Joeden-Forgey emphasized that the international community has to make it clear that any genocidal attacks on Armenian life whether in Artsakh, Armenia and the Diaspora will be responded to with strength, that there will be severe consequences for acts against Armenians.

“This can all be done diplomatically, it needs, however, a coordinated effort. Furthermore, all of these war crimes that we have seen, these atrocity crimes that have been committed in 2020 and again in September 2022 need to be tried in international courts as high crime. So, we need to pursue accountability for those crimes. I think that the international community could pursue sanctions, could entertain the idea of sanctions against Azerbaijan, I think some of the most important states who are working with Azerbaijan could certainly threaten to pull their economic and military aid to Azerbaijan, and I hope that the major powers of the world will take this very seriously and pursue everything that is in their diplomatic toolbox to make it clear to Turkey and Azerbaijan that they must pull back from this genocidal language that they are using to terrorize Armenians and potentially to threaten another genocide”, she stated.

 

 

https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1099395.html?fbclid=IwAR2FABxh8-2bIGw81rCowN5EDFQ8KD58f5q3GVp3fS8Uu1EWEgPKJYv1aC4

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Armenpress.am

Azerbaijan sends clear signal of ethnic cleansing – Armenia’s Ambassador-at-Large

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12:59, 13 December 2022

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 13, ARMENPRESS. Armenia’s Ambassador-at-Large Edmon Marukyan says that Azerbaijan, by keeping blocked the Lachin corridor since yesterday, is sending a clear signal of ethnic cleansing.

“It’s been day since Azerbaijan blocked Lachin Corridor. The only supply channel for 120K people, of which 30K kids. Azerbaijan sends a clear signal of ethnic cleansing: a crime against humanity. Despite the silence of international community NK Armenians still believe in their democratic choice”, Marukyan tweeted.

 

 

https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1099486.html?fbclid=IwAR38-u38aSagCO5y5a5CK7hWx0tG11heP2gmrMcz4Z6qzw4Rno906GtFbGo

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Armenpress.am

Blocking of Lachin Corridor done by instructions of Azerbaijani authorities, the president himself – Artsakh Ombudsman

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15:47, 13 December 2022

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 13, ARMENPRESS. The international humanitarian law says that no second for the vital conditions for life should be stopped, but we can see that for 24 hours the most elementary right of the people living in Artsakh has been hindered, Ombudsman of Artsakh Gegham Stepanyan said during a press conference in Armenpress, who has arrived in Yerevan recently for the 4^th Global Forum Against the Crime of Genocide and now is unable to return to Artsakh because of the blocking of the Lachin corridor by Azerbaijanis.

“We should look at what humanitarian consequences this Azerbaijani criminal act can have and what consequences it already has. First of all, for already more than 24 hours the supply of food, energy carriers, medicines and other essentials has been suspended in the entire Artsakh. All this is being done by the instructions of the Azerbaijani authorities, the President of Azerbaijan namely, because the environmental pretext is totally fake. There is information that the people who blocked that road are mainly those guided by the Azerbaijani authorities, they are also representatives of the special services [of Azerbaijan]”, Gegham Stepanyan said.

He once again drew the attention of international role players, international human rights and inter-governmental organizations to a very important fact that at this moment 120,000 people in Artsakh are in blockade.

“We also must emphasize the fact that Artsakh has no air communication with any part of the world”, he stated.

He said that his Office is receiving alarms that the medical supplies in hospitals are enough only for several days, and if this situation continues, they will face a serious problem. The same concerns the supplies of food and energy carriers.

 

 

https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1099514.html?fbclid=IwAR2go06oG__qIKIJueMALOwN7b8kWTmOAgeYwHpKSwDDqDVj200qC8yjMdA

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Armenpress.am

Azerbaijan cuts gas supply to Artsakh

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19:03, 13 December 2022

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 13, ARMENPRESS. Azerbaijan stopped gas supply to Artsakh Republic a while ago, ARMENPRESS reports, the Information Headquarters of Artsakh informs.

"Stopping the supply of blue fuel under such weather conditions is a humanitarian and economic terrorism that Azerbaijan is consistently carrying out against the civilians of Artsakh.

Information about the situation will be regularly provided to the public," said the headquarters.

Stopping the supply of blue fuel under such weather conditions is a humanitarian and economic terrorism, which Azerbaijan is consistently carrying out against the civilians of Artsakh.

The public will be regularly informed about the situation”, reads the message.

 

 

https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1099550.html?fbclid=IwAR0uqlZxK62ts3acYQMLpw15DThOyXFy86B8KLl_TqJQHxUqMHvU9wUCfGI

[Yervant1]

Armenpress.am

Reports are concerning: Dutch PM comments on situation in Lachin Corridor

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15:09, 14 December 2022

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 14, ARMENPRESS. During a Q&A session in the Parliament, the Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte, in response to the question about Armenia and Azerbaijan, in particularly the current blockade of the Lachin corridor by Azerbaijan, which is the only road connecting Nagorno Karabakh and Armenia, said that the issue has been discussed with the Azerbaijani Ambassador to the Netherlands during the meeting in the foreign ministry on December 14.

“The issue is not on the agenda of the European Council, but it has received the attention of the EU. Obviously, France and other countries are decisively committed to finding a settlement to this conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan through negotiations. This is needed for preventing a new escalation in the future. During the summit of 44 countries in Prague, which was also attended by Armenia and Azerbaijan, such an attempt was made by the President of France. The EU does it by the leadership of President of the Council Charles Michel who is playing quite an active role in the matter, and we support the EU mediation efforts”, the Dutch PM said.

The PM agreed with the lawmaker that the coming reports are very concerning as many people have appeared in blockade.

“Therefore, we will continue to keep this issue in our discussions”, he said.

Azerbaijan is keeping the Lachin Corridor blocked for over 48 hours. Over 1100 people including children, are stranded and unable to return home. Artsakh authorities are unable to transport critically-ill patients to hospitals in Armenia for treatment.

The Lachin Corridor is the only road connecting Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh) with Armenia and the rest of the world. Furthermore, on December 13, Azerbaijan cut the gas supply to Artsakh.

 

 

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Armenpress.am

Cyprus calls on Azerbaijan to open Lachin Corridor, restore gas supply

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15:20, 14 December 2022

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 14, ARMENPRESS. Cyprus is calling on Azerbaijan to restore traffic and gas supply in Nagorno Karabakh.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus is concerned over reports of traffic disruptions in the Lachin Corridor which led to the blockade of the population of Nagorno Karabakh and disruption of the supply line to the territory. Reports on disruption of natural gas supply adds more concerns.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus is calling on Azerbaijan to immediately fully restore traffic and energy supply to avoid a further deterioration of the humanitarian situation in the region,” the Cyprus Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Azerbaijan is keeping the Lachin Corridor blocked for over 48 hours.

The Lachin Corridor is the only road connecting Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh) with Armenia and the rest of the world. Furthermore, on December 13, Azerbaijan cut the gas supply to Artsakh.

 

 

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Armenpress.am

The Dutch parliament adopts resolution by an overwhelming majority of votes on the blockade of Lachin Corridor

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18:47, 14 December 2022

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 14, ARMENPRESS. On December 13, the Dutch Parliament accepted the petition submitted by factions of the "Reformed Political Party", "Christian Union", "Farmer-Citizen Movement" and Socialist parties, which refers to the closure of the Lachin Corridor by Azerbaijan, ARMENPRESS was informed from the press release of the Federation of Armenian Organizations of the Netherlands.

The petition states that despite the agreements of November 9, 2020, Azerbaijan closed the Lachin Corridor connecting Armenia to Nagorno Karabakh and stopped the gas supply from Armenia to Nagorno Karabakh. The document also states that "Russian peacekeepers do not intervene in that area, and that this situation threatens to create a humanitarian emergency for the population of Nagorno-Karabakh." In addition, the government is urged to call on the European Council to make a joint appeal to Azerbaijan to stop the hostile actions against the people of Nagorno-Karabakh and open the corridor.

The Federation of Armenian Organizations of the Netherlands welcomed the adoption of the petition by the Dutch Parliament.

"We expect the government's quick actions to put an end to the humanitarian disaster created by Aliyev's brutal dictatorship, in particular, through the creation of international guarantees to remove the road blockade and to prevent further blockade, as well as by organizing air transport to Stepanakert by the European Union," reads the press release of the Federation of Armenian Organizations of the Netherlands.

 

 

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Armenpress.am

The actions of Azerbaijani government pose a threat of genocide for the Armenians of the region. Genocide scholars

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20:10, 14 December 2022

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 14, ARMENPRESS. Genocide scholars and participating scientists of the 4th Global Forum "Against the Crime of Genocide" issued a joint statement condemning the actions over Lachin Corridor, ARMENPRESS was informed from the statement issued by the scholars.

"We, the undersigned international genocide studies scholars and educators, condemn the actions of the Azerbaijani government to create a humanitarian crisis for Nagorno-Karabakh by closing the Goris-Stepanakert highway on December 12, 2022 and stopping the gas supply to the Armenian population of Artsakh. As scholars studying the genocide process, we believe that the actions of the Azerbaijani government pose a threat of genocide to Armenians in the region. We call on international organizations and governments to ensure the free entry of people and goods to Nagorno Karabakh. These concerns are raised in the context of our participation in the International Global Forum against the Crime of Genocide, during which we got to know about these acts of aggression against the civilian population of Nagorno-Karabakh," the statement said.

 

 

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Armenpress.am

Canadian Foreign Ministry urges Azerbaijan to open Lachin Corridor

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21:42, 14 December 2022

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 14, ARMENPRESS. Canada is closely following the closure of the Lachin corridor, ARMENPRESS reports, the Canadian Foreign Ministry said in a twitter post.

“We call on Azerbaijan authorities to reopen the corridor and ensure freedom of movement to avoid any potential humanitarian impact”, reads the message.

 

 

https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1099678.html?fbclid=IwAR0U4jYDI1g0RMzrgeONdc43nlVZXpunvtWpaOtjKCnmlnfYQdXZsY-oai4

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Dec 14 2022

The final stage of ethnic cleansing in Artsakh is underway! The Azeris block the Lachin Corridor!
by ATHENS BUREAU

Azerbaijani special operations forces officers and Gray Wolves supporters disguised as "environmental activists" with the help of the Azerbaijani military have seized the only road connecting Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) and Armenia, stopping all traffic and threatening to starve the local population.

The Aliyev regime has blocked the Lachin Corridor, thus denying the entire population of Artsakh access to Armenia and the outside world. This is essentially the beginning of the final stage of the ethnic cleansing of the indigenous Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh.

As in the case of the disruption of the only natural gas supply pipeline from Armenia to Artsakh earlier this year, the goal of this action happening now is the same – to create an unbearable humanitarian crises that force people to flee their homes.

Azerbaijani special operations forces officers and Turkish ultra-nationalist Gray Wolves supporters disguised as "environmental activists", with the help of the Azerbaijani military, have reportedly seized the only road connecting Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia, stopping all traffic and threatening to starve the local population.

More than 1500 people have been stranded on both sides of the corridor to and from Artsakh, including 270 children.

Azerbaijan's blocking of the only access to Artsakh clearly means that more than 120,000 civilians are at risk. It is a violation of International Humanitarian Law and directly contradicts all possible bilateral, tripartite and multilateral commitments of Azerbaijan.

On the morning of December 12, 2022, a group of people from the Republic of Azerbaijan, representing themselves as environmental activists, set up tents near Sushi, blocking the normal and unhindered movement of the Lachin Corridor, which was created by the Tripartite Declaration between of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the President of the Russian Federation on November 9, 2020, in order to ensure the connection between Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia.

Propaganda preparations to close the Lachin Corridor started months ago and it is obvious that this provocation was organised by the state authorities of Azerbaijan, with the aim of cutting off Nagorno-Karabakh from the Republic of Armenia and therefore from the outside world.

As a result of this action, the people of Nagorno-Karabakh were deprived of the right to freedom of movement. Nagorno-Karabakh faces the imminent threat of a food and humanitarian crisis.

The created situation directly contradicts point 6 of the Tripartite Declaration of November 9, 2020, according to which:

A) THE LACHIN CORRIDOR IS UNDER THE CONTROL OF RUSSIAN PEACEKEEPING TROOPS DEPLOYED IN NAGORNO-KARABAKH;

THE REPUBLIC OF AZERBAIJAN GUARANTEES THE SAFETY OF THE MOVEMENT OF CITIZENS, VEHICLES AND GOODS THROUGH THE LACHIN CORRIDOR.

Therefore, Azerbaijan is in flagrant violation of its international obligation.

This behaviour by Azerbaijan not only shows its lack of intention to address the issue of the rights and security of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh and engage in dialogue with Stepanakert for this purpose, but once again testifies to the continuation of the policy of the official Baku is subjecting Nagorno-Karabakh to ethnic cleansing.

The blockade of the Lachin Corridor is the _expression_ of many warning messages, namely, that Azerbaijan has adopted a genocidal policy against the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Regular violations and provocations of the ceasefire regime by the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan on the contact line in Nagorno-Karabakh make the ontological danger for Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh more objective.

https://greekcitytimes.com/2022/12/15/artsakh-azeris-lachin-corridor/

[Yervant1]

 

While being hailed by some for providing Europe an alternative to Russian gas, Azerbaijan has, for the second time this year, blockaded, and turned off the gas to 120,000 ethnic Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh. The prospect of gas shortages threatening Europe with a cold winter amidst the Ukrainian war has allowed the West to turn a blind eye to the dictatorship in Azerbaijan that systematically terrorizes Armenians.

 

Current temperatures in Nagorno-Karabakh are in the mid-thirties, with snow on the ground. This intentional act of shutting off the gas supply violates the Geneva Conventions and customary international humanitarian law. The blockade continues to illustrate Azerbaijan’s pattern of ethnically cleansing the region of Armenians and violating Section 907 of the FREEDOM Support Act. Deprived of freedom and security, Nagorno-Karabakh is only 235 miles from the capital of Azerbaijan, Baku.

 

In addition to cutting off gas, Azerbaijan has blockaded the only road that connects Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia, thus cutting off its only lifeline. Currently, Azerbaijanis depicting the Turkic Grey Wolves hand gesture are surrounding 1,100 civilians stranded on that road, including 270 children.

 

The people of Nagorno-Karabakh rely on Armenia for medicine, food, emergency medical care, ambulance services, and transportation of all goods and supplies.

 

The immediate outcome of Azerbaijan’s heinous and illegal acts have resulted in the closure of all schools in Nagorno-Karabakh, blockading Nagorno-Karabakh from all transportation, freezing its population, and eventually starving them.

 

It is imperative that U.S. legislative leaders condemn this blockade and choking of the Armenian population.

 

The Center for Truth and Justice asks that the U.S. take immediate and decisive measures to:

 

1. Demand Azerbaijan to remove its blockade of the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh and allow the free flow of movement, transportation routes, and its supply of gas and electricity.
2. Immediately suspend all military assistance to Azerbaijan.
3. Apply the Global Magnitsky sanctions to Azerbaijani authorities that continue to commit human rights violations against Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia
4. Along with European States, publicly recognize that Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh have the right to sovereignty and initiate a clearly defined process to achieve recognition as an independent state including securing guarantees for the people of Nagorno-Karabakh until its final political status is determined.

 

Azerbaijan, by its own actions, warrants the recognition of the sovereignty of the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh to guarantee the safety and security of its indigenous Armenian population.

 

Center for Truth and Justice www.cftjustice.org

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Armenpress.am

Azerbaijan must cease its blockage of Lachin corridor - Freedom House

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12:12, 15 December 2022

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 15, ARMENPRESS. Azerbaijan must cease its blockage of the Lachin corridor— the only road connecting Nagorno Karabakh to the outside world, Freedom House said in a statement on Twitter.

“We call on the international community to reiterate its support for negotiations without coercion. Azerbaijan must cease its blockage of the Lachin corridor— the only road connecting Nagorno-Karabakh to the outside world”, Freedom House said.

The international organization expressed its concerns about the reports that Azerbaijan has also cut off the gas supply to Nagorno Karabakh once again.

“We are disturbed by reports that Azerbaijan has also cut off the gas supply to Nagorno-Karabakh once again. We call on the Azerbaijani government to restore unhindered gas supplies to the people of the region. Finally, we urge the OSCE Minsk Group countries and the sides of the Nov. 9, 2020 trilateral statement to take the necessary steps to ensure the rights and security of the population of Nagorno-Karabakh, including their freedom of movement”, it added.

 

 

https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1099718.html?fbclid=IwAR2lBrpTlQOWX_QM_PwoYR5oHenEgxYafrziiGrL9Yelx1ZcIl56Mn5bzPQ

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Blah, blah, blah! Crickets!!!!!!!

 

Armenpress.am

Russia concerned about blockade of Lachin Corridor – MFA spokeswoman

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13:50, 15 December 2022

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 15, ARMENPRESS. Creating problems for the life of civilian population is unacceptable, and the accusations addressed to the Russian peacekeepers are counterproductive, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said, commenting on the current situation in the Lachin Corridor.

“We are concerned about the blockade of the Lachin Corridor. It is connected with the disagreements of the sides around the operation of mines. The Russian defense ministry and peacekeeping contingent are working actively these days to reduce the escalation of the situation. We expect that the transportation communication will be fully restored in near future”, she said.

Zakharova said that the Lachin Corridor ensures the connection between Nagorno Karabakh and Armenia and is under the control of the Russian peacekeeping contingent.

“While signing the statement of 9 November 2020 between the leaders of Russia, Armenia and Azerbaijan, the sides assumed respective commitments which must be strongly observed. Creating problems for the life of civilian population is unacceptable”, Zakharova said.

The Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman has also commented on the accusations made against the Russian peacekeepers.

“The accusations addressed to the Russian peacekeepers and the provocative actions, regardless of which side they are being done, are impermissible and inefficient. The Russian peacekeeping contingent is fulfilling its tasks in an efficient manner, acting as a guarantor of stability in the region”, Zakharova said.

 

 

https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1099729.html?fbclid=IwAR08QZTwdQfal1xnIy1Xtu6JSML5Mmmh3710iki1N4qMrSb9GjC_102RqRk

 

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Armenpress.am

Azeri “eco-activists” revealed to be military intelligence operatives – exposé by Tatoyan Center for Law and Justice

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11:50, 15 December 2022

YEREVAN, DECEMEBR 15, ARMENPRESS. The Azerbaijani "environmental activist leaders" who blocked the Artsakh-Armenia road are directly financed by the Azerbaijani government or organizations affiliated with the authorities.

This conclusion was reached by the working group established at the Tatoyan Foundation for Law and Justice, after subjecting to a professional analysis the factual data regarding the Azerbaijani eco-activist leaders who blocked the Artsakh-Armenia road.

According to that, the organizations of people representing "environmental activist leaders" are financed by the government of Azerbaijan, in some cases, by the Heydar Aliyev Fund headed by the first vice president and first lady of Azerbaijan, Mehriban Aliyeva.

In addition, the analyzes show that the Azerbaijani "environmentalist activist leaders" who blocked the Artsakh-Armenia road spread information and photos about the Aliyev family on their social media pages, spreading anti-Armenian and hateful posts and propaganda. But the main issue is that they provide the Azerbaijani government policy, Tatoyan Foundation said in a report.

Just one example: Telman Qasimov, who is one of the leaders of the "action", calls out in Armenian at the road closure site, exhorts them to live together, but on his Facebook social network page, he proudly posts photos of Azerbaijani soldiers who trampled the flag of Armenia and Artsakh, and rejoices at the loss of life on the Armenian side. The facts prove that he is an Armenian-hater military serviceman, according to reliable sources, an officer of the military special intelligence service, who also actively promotes the belligerent statements of the President of Azerbaijan.

He openly shows his connection with the terrorist-nationalist group Grey Wolves in his pictures on social networks, he publishes a photo of pride with Ramil Safarov, the convicted murderer of Armenian officer Gurgen Margaryan who was asleep when Safarov attacked him with an axe. During the trial in Hungary, Safarov admitted in court to having killed Margaryan because of his hatred towards Armenia and Armenians. He was sentenced to life in prison by the Hungarian court.

In case of the other "leaders" of the action, Tatoyan Foundation recorded a similar picture, the real information about which is in the photos.

Therefore, it is absolutely true to claim that blocking the only road connecting Artsakh to Armenia and isolating Artsakh does not have any environmental purpose.

It is part of Azerbaijan's criminal policy of blocking Artsakh Armenians, isolating them from the outside world, another attempt to suppress the absolute legitimate right of self-determination of Artsakh Armenians in absolute violation of international rules.

 

 

 

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[MosJan]

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News.am

Armenia - Dec 14 2022

Thomas de Waal: Azerbaijan shows that it will use force to achieve concessions

10:09, 14.12.2022

The international community and analysts are reflecting on the current blocking of the Lachin Corridor by the Azerbaijanis and the suspension of natural gas supply to Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh), the VOA Armenian Service reports.

Closing the Lachine Corridor has serious humanitarian consequences and sets back the peace process, US State Department spokesman Ned Price said in a tweet.

In turn, in Brussels they emphasized that they are following with serious concern the developments that have been happening there for some time

In this regard, UK journalist Thomas de Waal, who is also a senior fellow with Carnegie Europe specializing in Eastern Europe and the Caucasus region, noted in his tweet that EU officials are worried about the situation and want to preserve the negotiation process. According to the analyst, the negotiations with the EU mediation of the recent period has recorded some progress, as a result of which the parties made announcements about a peace treaty. However, there is no agreement on the future of Karabakh Armenians, the analyst notes. As per de Waal, Azerbaijan shows that it will use force to achieve concessions According to him, Azerbaijani President Aliyev wants to sign a peace treaty, not to start a new war, but the Armenian side cannot make the concessions he wants to see. There is a great danger that we are on the threshold of a new major military conflict, warns de Waal. He believes that the problem is that the main burden of implementing the November 2020 ceasefire remains on Moscow's shoulders, but it cannot successfully implement it because of the war in Ukraine.

As per former US Ambassador to Azerbaijan Richard Kauzlarich, the blocking of the Lachin Corridor by the Azerbaijani side and the suspension of the natural gas supply to Nagorno-Karabakh is the result of the failure of the dialogue between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

According to Kauzlarich, Russia is not able to carry out neutral peacekeeping activities in Karabakh, and the number of Russian peacekeeping troops present there is not enough for effective peacekeeping activities.

As per the former ambassador, today Russia's position in the region is significantly weakened, and its standing is low due to what Moscow is doing in Ukraine.

https://news.am/eng/news/734977.html