Azerbaijan Is Violating November 9 Agreement by Blocking Humanitarian Aid to Artsakh: Pashinyan

In the midst of an ongoing humanitarian crisis in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), a shipment of vital humanitarian aid weighing 361 tons, dispatched last week as part of Armenia's government-initiated support for the region, remains stranded near the entrance to the Lachin Corridor. This comes as Azerbaijan is accused of contravening the terms outlined in the November 9, 2020 statement. The move has prompted international concern and further deepened tensions in the region.

Armenia's Prime Minister, Nikol Pashinyan, highlighted Azerbaijan's disregard for the humanitarian situation during a government session on August 3. He pointedly noted that Azerbaijan's actions "grossly violate Article 6 of the statement of November 9, 2020 3rd point," which prohibits the obstruction of humanitarian aid to Artsakh.

Pashinyan's remarks underscored the severity of the situation, stressing that the humanitarian cargo remains stranded due to Azerbaijan's refusal to adhere to the agreed-upon terms. He emphasized that this stance directly contradicts the spirit of the November 9 agreement, a pact that sought to bring stability to the region after the war.

The Prime Minister also addressed the actions of Azerbaijan that led to the current crisis. Pashinyan recalled Azerbaijan's claims that the closure of the Lachin Corridor on June 15, 2023, was driven by alleged provocations by the Armenian side. Pashinyan clarified that the "provocation" Azerbaijan cited involved an attempt to place a flag near the Hakari bridge within Armenian territory. This attempt was met with opposition from Armenian border guards, which Pashinyan described as a legal response. He categorized Azerbaijan's action as a provocative move, especially considering the ongoing border demarcation and delimitation efforts between the two countries.

Pashinyan's speech shed light on the complexities surrounding the current crisis, emphasizing the urgency of addressing the humanitarian needs of Artsakh. As the international community watches, the focus remains on Azerbaijan's adherence to the November 9 statement and the restoration of humanitarian aid access to the blockaded region.