Pashinyan`s statements are unfounded, provocative and aimed at disrupting the peace process – Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry

Baku/03.08.23/Turan: The statements of the Prime Minister of Armenia about the closure of the Lachyn road by Azerbaijan are unfounded, his accusations against Baku are not consistent, provocative and aimed at disrupting the normalization processes between the two countries,  this is how the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry commented  today's statements by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

Speaking at a government meeting today, Pashinyan said that Azerbaijan is "blocking the delivery of humanitarian aid to Nagorno-Karabakh," accused Baku of disrupting the process of delineating the border, and called for the release of Armenians accused of committing crimes or already convicted, including Vagif Khachatryan, who was detained on July 29.

"Another attempt by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan at a government meeting on August 3 to mislead the international community on the functioning of the Lachyn border checkpoint, as well as the delimitation of the border between the two countries and territorial integrity, is an indicator of the intentions of the Armenian side to aggravate the situation, instead of following the path of normalization of relations with Azerbaijan" the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry's commentary says.

Transportation by Armenia without the permission of Azerbaijan under the pretext of "humanitarian cargo" by vehicles that previously carried out military transportation is unacceptable, the document further notes.

The activity of the Lachyn Border Checkpoint is regulated by Azerbaijan and is of great importance for controlling the entry and exit to the Lachyn Road, which Armenia has abused over the past three years to carry out illegal activities.

The unanimous rejection by the UN International Court of Justice on July 6 of Armenia's appeal to eliminate this border checkpoint is another proof of the groundlessness of Armenia's claims.

Pashinyan's continuation of territorial claims to Azerbaijan testifies to Armenia's non-adherence to his earlier statements on the delimitation of the borders of the two countries on the basis of the 1991 Almaty Declaration.

The Foreign Ministry also pointed out the groundlessness of accusations against Azerbaijan regarding the detention of Vagif Khachatryan at the CHECKPOINT, who was wanted in connection with war crimes against Azerbaijani civilians in the first Karabakh War.

"We remind the Armenian side, which misleads the public about the arrest of Vagif Khachatryan, accused of committing crimes against humanity, that there are no restrictions in international humanitarian law that prevent taking appropriate measures against war criminals. The arrest of this man was carried out within the framework of Azerbaijani legislation and international law. The Armenian side, instead of defending and covering up the actions of those guilty of crimes against humanity, including genocide, against Azerbaijanis during the almost 30-year period of occupation, should support the process of bringing them to criminal responsibility," the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry further said.

If the Armenian side is really interested in peace and stability in the region, including supporting the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan not only in words, but also in deeds, then it should refrain from such provocative steps and support the use of the Aghdam-Khankendi road proposed by the Azerbaijani side and other alternative ways to meet the needs Armenian residents. The Armenian side should also not hinder Azerbaijan's efforts to reintegrate Armenian residents," the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry. ---06B---