ICRC may use Lachin road, but only for medical purposes - Foreign Ministry

Baku/14.07.23/Turan: Azerbaijan is ready to allow the ICRC vehicles to pass through the Lachin road again for medical purposes. Azerbaijan proposes that the ICRC use the Agdam-Khankendi road to meet other needs of the Karabakh Armenian population.

On 14 July 2023, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ceyhun Bayramov met with the head of the ICRC office in Azerbaijan Dragana Kozic.

The meeting discussed cooperation between Azerbaijan and the ICRC, the recent situation at the Lachin border crossing point, as well as the ICRC's activities in the Azerbaijani city of Khankendi.

Commenting on the recent situation at the Lachin border crossing point, Bayramov said that "along with the shelling of the crossing point on 15 June, the actions of drivers of Armenian origin to deliver contraband products to Azerbaijan in vehicles belonging to the ICRC became a part of the strategy of the Armenian side to encroach on the sovereignty of Azerbaijan", the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry press release further reads.

He also stressed that such behaviour shows the unwillingness of the Armenian side to stop its illegal actions.

As Bayramov recalled, the ICRC noted in its 11 July statement that it does not support the activity of transporting undeclared goods.

It was also noted that the labour contracts with the drivers of vehicles transporting such cargoes were terminated, and this is commendable.  It was emphasised that it is necessary to prevent such cases in the future," the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry further said.

During the discussions, Bayramov stated "the possibility of continuing the crossing of Armenian residents through the border point for medical purposes through the mediation of the ICRC with the observance of the necessary rules." "As for the supply needs of the Armenian residents, the Azerbaijani side once again reminded that there is a possibility to provide assistance using the Aghdam-Khankendi road," the Azerbijan Foreign Ministry further emphasised in a statement.

Recall that on 11 July, the State Border Service of Azerbaijan closed the Lachin border crossing point for investigation due to the smuggling of contraband goods by Red Cross vehicles through it.  

At that, the Red Cross stated that Armenian drivers attempted to transport commercial goods without the organisation's knowledge. Announcing the cancellation of contracts with these drivers, the ICRC stressed the need to continue humanitarian transportation. -06В-