Lachin corridor should be used in accordance with the statement on November 9, 2020 - Russian Foreign Ministry

Baku/30.12.22/Turan: The Russian Foreign Ministry on Friday published a comment by official representative Maria Zakharova in connection with the situation around the Lachin corridor.

“We express concern about the lack of progress in restoring the full functioning of the Lachin corridor for the movement of citizens, vehicles and goods in both directions in accordance with the Statement of the leaders of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia dated November 9, 2020. The Russian side, in particular the leadership of the Russian peacekeeping contingent (RPK) continues to take consistent steps to resolve this situation,” the commentary says.

“We consider any public attacks and provocations against our peacekeepers as unacceptable and deliberate actions that cause tangible harm to the process of Armenian-Azerbaijani normalization.

We call on Baku and Yerevan to strictly comply with all the provisions of the Statement of the leaders of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia dated November 9, 2020. We note that the Lachin corridor should be used only for the purposes indicated in this document. We hope that the parties will come to agreements regarding the development of ore deposits in the region,” the commentary emphasizes.

“We stand for the comprehensive implementation of the entire complex of tripartite agreements at the highest level aimed at unblocking transport and economic ties in the region, delimiting the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, preparing a peace treaty between Baku and Yerevan and establishing contacts between public figures, experts and parliamentarians of the two countries,” - said in the conclusion.

A noteworthy point in the commentary is the phrase about "the use of the Lachin corridor only for the purposes indicated in this document."

Another noteworthy point is that the commentary does not criticize the actions of the Azerbaijani side, which established control on the section of the road near the city of Shusha.

According to unofficial data, trucks of Russian peacekeepers are inspected by Azerbaijani representatives when passing through a checkpoint near Shusha. Given this fact, it can be assumed that the creation of an Azerbaijani post on the Lachin road is agreed with the Russian side and its official opening is a matter of the near future.

As for the Armenian side, statements from Khankyandi about the ongoing blockade indicate that the separatists do not want to put up with the new realities and refuse to travel on the road under the control of the Azerbaijani side. -02D-