Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry called on the UN Foundation not to go beyond its mandate

Baku/25.01.23/Turan: The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry expressed regret and surprise at the statement of the UN Population Fund on the situation around the Lachin road.  

“It is unacceptable for the UN Population Fund to make a statement about the legitimate protests of Azerbaijanis, while this structure did not react to the deplorable state of hundreds of thousands of Azerbaijani families which, as a result of the military aggression of Armenia, were forced to leave their homes, lived in tent camps for years, abandoned train cars, in the absence of normal conditions, were deprived of the right to education and health care,” the Foreign Ministry said in a comment.

Peaceful protests on the Lachin road, the sovereign territory of Azerbaijan, demanding an end to the illegal exploitation of Azerbaijan's natural resources, their export to Armenia and the use of the Lachin road for non-humanitarian purposes, are the legitimate right of the Azerbaijani people.

Illegal activities in the territories of Azerbaijan, where the Armenian population lives compactly, pose a threat to the national security of Azerbaijan, and must be stopped.

In accordance with the Tripartite Statement dated November 10, 2020, Azerbaijan guarantees the safety of the movement of citizens, vehicles and goods in both directions along the Lachin corridor. The security guarantee also includes the prevention of misuse of the Lachin road, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry recalled.

The protesters do not interfere with the movement of vehicles and residents along the Lachin road, and statements that this action caused a "humanitarian catastrophe" are absolutely unfounded.

Over the past month, more than 1,000 vehicles have passed along the road, providing local residents with basic necessities, medicines and essential medical services.

The Azerbaijani government has also repeatedly stated that it is ready to promptly resolve all humanitarian needs that Armenian residents may face. Despite all this, the “leaders” of the Armenians of Karabakh continue to use the local population as a shield and hinder their freedom of movement,” the comment of the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry.

In conclusion, official Baku calls on the UN Population Fund to be impartial and refrain from actions and statements that would damage the reputation of the organization. ---03D06---