Armenian PM condemns Azerbaijan 'illegal blockade' of Nagorno-Karabakh

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
13 Jul 2023 14:13

Pashinyan denounces what he called an "illegal blockade" of Nagorno-Karabakh, claiming that it contradicts an International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling.

In this Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2020 file photo, An ethnic Armenian soldier stands guard next to Nagorno-Karabakh's flag atop of the hill near Charektar in the region of Nagorno-Karabakh at a new border with Kalbajar district turned over to Azerbaijan (AP Photo/Sergei Grits, File)

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan called for international unity on Thursday against Azerbaijan's "illegal blockade" of the region of Nagorno-Karabakh and further announced the launch of new EU-mediated peace talks with Azerbaijan.

Pashinyan denounced what he called an "illegal blockade" of Nagorno-Karabakh, claiming that it contradicts an International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling.

"As far as the illegal blockade of the Lachin Corridor and the deepening humanitarian crisis are concerned, the binding ruling of the ICJ creates a possibility for a greater international consolidation to prevent Azerbaijan's policy of ethnic cleansing in Karabakh," he said.

This follows after Azerbaijan blocked the only road linking Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia, and accused the Armenian Red Cross of smuggling.

In a statement, the Azerbaijani border guards said, "Crossing via the Lachin border post is temporarily suspended," further alleging that the Armenian Red Cross abused the checkpoint for multiple "smuggling attempts", which the organization denied, insisting that no unauthorized material had been found in its vehicles.

Back in February, the top UN court ordered Azerbaijan to ensure free movement along the Lachin Corridor, which is the sole land link with Armenia.

Addressing a cabinet meeting, Pashinyan also announced that the upcoming peace talks with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev are scheduled to be held on Saturday in Brussels under the mediation of European Council President Charles Michel.

"I confirmed my participation in the meeting, and I hope we will achieve progress in our talks on a peace treaty."