Azerbaijan risks 'nullifying' peace hopes: Armenian PM

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
11 Aug 2023 21:39

Armenian PM says Baku prevented trucks carrying aid from entering the Armenian-populated Nagorno-Karabakh region.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan (AFP)

Armenia pointed out on Friday that Azerbaijan was still blocking aid deliveries to Nagorno-Karabakh and warned this risked "nullifying" the prospect of peace between the two countries.

For months, Yerevan has accused Baku of blocking traffic through the Lachin Corridor -- a short, mountainous road linking Armenia to Armenian-populated settlements in the Nagorno-Karabakh region.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said at a government meeting Friday that trucks carrying pasta, sugar, and baby food had been prevented from entering the region, adding that Baku had "not given any explanation" regarding its decision.

"Armenia, for its part, continues to reaffirm its commitment to the peace agenda and calls on Baku to refrain from steps aimed at nullifying the historic opportunity to establish peace," Pashinyan stressed.

The premier had previously warned of the risk of a new war with Azerbaijan, accusing Baku of "genocide" in the Armenian-populated region of Nagorno-Karabakh.

"So long as a peace treaty has not been signed and such a treaty has not been ratified by the parliaments of the two countries, of course, a (new) war (with Azerbaijan) is very likely," Pashinyan told AFP in late July.

Baku and Yerevan, which have fought two wars over the region, have not been able to reach a lasting peace settlement despite mediation efforts by the European Union, the United States, and Russia.

Armenia and international aid groups have warned that the humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh is dire and deteriorating, amid shortages of food, medicines, and energy.