Armenia Responds to Russian Foreign Ministry's Claims on Nagorno-Karabakh

The Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia issued a comprehensive response today to recent statements made by the official representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia concerning the ongoing situation in the Lachin corridor. The Armenian statement delves into the history and chronology of events surrounding the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and aims to provide clarity on the complex regional dynamics.

In response to the Russian official's statement suggesting that Armenia's recognition of Nagorno-Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan in October 2022 was a significant factor contributing to the current situation in the Lachin corridor, the Armenian spokesperson outlined several key points.

First, it was emphasized that the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is fundamentally about the rights and security of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh, not merely a territorial dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The spokesperson highlighted Armenia's willingness to postpone discussions on Nagorno-Karabakh's status as part of a normalization proposal in August 2022, which was ultimately rejected by Azerbaijan.

Moreover, Armenia underscored that when Azerbaijan launched a military aggression against Armenia on September 13, 2022, Russia did not take any concrete action in support of Armenia, even though Armenia sought assistance through official channels.

The statement clarified that the Alma-Ata Declaration, reaffirmed by Armenia and Azerbaijan in Prague in October 2022, did not alter the text of the Trilateral statement of November 9, 2020, and that the document had been in force for about 31 years by October 2022. Armenia also noted that the Russian Federation had recognized Nagorno-Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan multiple times.

Regarding the Lachin corridor, Armenia highlighted several provocative actions by Azerbaijan, including the blocking of the corridor and the installation of an illegal checkpoint in April 2023, both of which violated the Trilateral statement. The Armenian statement expressed concern over the role of Russian peacekeepers in the Lachin corridor issue and their support for an attempt to raise the Azerbaijani flag on Armenian territory in June 2023.

Armenia pointed out that these actions have led to an escalation of tensions in Nagorno-Karabakh, including the abduction of residents at the illegal checkpoint in the Lachin corridor.

The Armenian spokesperson urged the Russian Foreign Ministry's representative to refrain from complicating the situation further and called for action from Russian peacekeepers to prevent or rectify the Lachin corridor's blockade.

In conclusion, Armenia reaffirmed its commitment to establishing regional stability based on mutual recognition of territorial integrity and borders, emphasizing the importance of reopening the Lachin corridor in accordance with the Trilateral statement of November 9, 2020, and resolving issues through the Baku-Stepanakert dialogue under international auspices. This comprehensive response seeks to address the complexities of the ongoing situation in Nagorno-Karabakh and reaffirm Armenia's position on these critical matters.