Interview to Evangelos D. Kokkinos
"Τhe demonstration of systematic violence is masterminded by the Azerbaijani authorities with the aim to subject the people of Nagorno-Karabakh to ethnic cleansing," says the Deputy Foreign Minister of the Republic of Armenia, Vahan Kostanyan, in an exclusive interview to Pentapostagma.
Speaking about the current situation in the Lachin Corridor, which has been blocked for months by the Azerbaijani authorities, Mr. Kostanyan reminded that the Lachin Corridor, as defined by the Tripartite Declaration of November 9, 2020, will remain under the control of Russian peacekeepers while Azerbaijan must guarantee the safe movement of citizens, vehicles and cargo.
Having already blocked the Lachin Corridor for five months, on April 23, the Azerbaijani authorities took steps to install a checkpoint on the corridor in the area of responsibility of the Russian peacekeeping force. "These actions are being carried out against the unequivocal statements of the international community", emphasizes the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia.
Mr. Kostanyan reports that Yerevan "urged the Russian Federation to finally fulfill the obligation under provision 6 of the Trilateral statement by eliminating the illegal blockade of the Lachin corridor", while "we have called on the member states of the UN, having a mandate for the preservation of international security, to clearly record Azerbaijan's actions undermining regional security and take effective steps towards the unconditional implementation of the ICJ decision".
He pointed out that the humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh is worsening with each passing day. "The shortage of essential goods, food and medicine is becoming more and more noticeable. The danger of malnutrition is tangible". Apart from the humanitarian crisis, Azerbaijan has also caused an energy crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh. It has already been 100 days of deliberate interruption of gas and electricity supply from Azerbaijan, during the freezing winter, to the entire territory of Nagorno-Karabakh.
According to Mr. Kostanyan, the unbearable living conditions have one goal: "to force the Armenian people of Nagorno Karabakh to leave their homes and deprive them of the right to live in their homeland, thus subjecting them to ethnic cleansing." "The ongoing blockade of the Lachin corridor is the demonstration of systematic violence masterminded by the Azerbaijani authorities with the aim to subject the people of Nagorno-Karabakh to ethnic cleansing," says Armenia's Deputy Foreign Minister.
“The current situation at the border remains tense, with Azerbaijan again violating the territorial integrity of the Republic of Armenia. Multiple encroachments on the territorial integrity of the Republic of Armenia and persistent tension of the situation on the Armenia-Azerbaijan border is a threat not only for the security of Armenia, but also for the security and stability in the whole region", Mr. Kostanyan continues.
"The lack of addressed and targeted measures by the international community fails to prevent further escalation of the situation by Azerbaijan," he clarifies, and speaks of "Azerbaijan's systematic policy that encourages Armenophobia in Azerbaijani society."
Finally, regarding Turkey's position in the relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Mr. Kostanyan says that "as Greece, Armenia is also interested in normalization of relations with its neighbors and we are sincere in our commitments".
"I would like to once again reiterate the willingness of the Republic of Armenia to build peace in the region through establishing relations with our immediate neighbors, however this can only be accomplished if all the stakeholders are interested in peace and stability of the region", concludes the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia.
The full interview:
- What is the current situation in the Lachin corridor, as it has been under blockade for almost five months, also considering the recently installed checkpoint in the area of responsibility of the Russian peacekeeping contingent?
As you know, on December 12 last year, Azerbaijani “so-called environmentalists” in blatant violation of the Trilateral Statement of November 9, 2020, blocked the Lachin corridor road over what they claim is a protest against the illegal exploitation of natural resources by Armenia in Nagorno-Karabakh, while the above-mentioned Statement says that the Lachin corridor shall remain under the control of Russian peacekeepers while Azerbaijan guarantees the safe movement of citizens, vehicles, and cargo.
Moreover, on April 23, this year the authorities of Azerbaijan, clearly showed their real intentions, again grossly violating the provision 6 of November 9, 2020 Trilateral Statement, they have already officially blocked the Lachin corridor, taking steps to install a checkpoint in the corridor in the area of responsibility of the Russian peacekeeping contingent.
These actions are being carried out against the unequivocal statements of the international community. Moreover, it completely ignores the legally binding decisions of the ICJ, particularly the decision of February 22, where the ICJ granted Armenia’s request to apply a provisional measure against Azerbaijan. Nevertheless, the Azerbaijani side not only did not take steps towards the implementation of the legally binding decision of the Court but committed new crimes against Armenians.
We have urged the Russian Federation to finally fulfill the obligation under provision 6 of the Trilateral statement by eliminating the illegal blockade of the Lachin corridor and ensuring the withdrawal of Azerbaijani forces from the entire security zone of the corridor. We have called on the member states of the UN, having a mandate for the preservation of international security, to clearly record Azerbaijan's actions undermining regional security and take effective steps towards the unconditional implementation of the ICJ decision.
Meanwhile, the humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh is deteriorating with each passing day. The shortage of essential goods, food and medicine is becoming more and more noticeable. The danger of malnutrition is tangible. Hundreds of families left on different sides of the Azerbaijani blockade remain separated. 120,000 people in fact became captives. Along with the humanitarian crisis, Azerbaijan has also provoked an energy crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh. It's been already 100 days of deliberate disruption of gas supply and electricity by Azerbaijan including during the freezing wintertime, in the entire territory of Nagorno-Karabakh, the unbearable life conditions have one goal: to force the Armenian people of Nagorno Karabakh to leave their homes and deprive them of the right to live in their homeland, thus subjecting them to ethnic cleansing.
Henceforth, I would like to once again reiterate that the ongoing blockade of the Lachin corridor is the demonstration of systematic violence masterminded by the Azerbaijani authorities with the aim to subject the people of Nagorno-Karabakh to ethnic cleansing.
- How would you assess the current situation on the Armenia-Azerbaijan border considering recent incidents and how high is the threat for regional security?
The current situation at the border remains tense, with Azerbaijan again violating the territorial integrity of the Republic of Armenia. Multiple encroachments on the territorial integrity of the Republic of Armenia and persistent tension of the situation on the Armenia-Azerbaijan border is a threat not only for the security of Armenia, but also for the security and stability in the whole region.
The latest aggression of April 11 is yet another manifestation of Azerbaijan's systematic aggressive policy, aimed at disrupting the peace process. On that day, a group of Azerbaijani military approached the servicemen of the Republic of Armenia in Tegh village area of Syunik region, under the pretext of clarifying positions on the border. However, they opened fire with weapons of different calibers towards the Armenian armed forces and their positions. 4 servicemen of our Armed Forces were killed, selflessly fulfilling their military duty and protecting the sovereign territory of Armenia, while other 6 were heavily wounded.
This policy of Azerbaijan is not something new, as it follows a pattern of attacks against the territory of the Republic of Armenia in May and November 2021, as well as September 2022, which led to the occupation of 150 square km of sovereign territories of Armenia by Azerbaijan.
Armenia has repeatedly voiced its readiness for a withdrawal of the armed forces of both sides from that border line to a safe distance as a reliable guarantee of the stability of the situation. We are ready to go to such a measure along the entire border line of Armenia-Azerbaijan, but the Azerbaijani side is unresponsive to any constructive offer.
Referring to the risks you mentioned, I should underscore that Azerbaijan not only keeps the sovereign territories of Armenia under the occupation but also introduces falsified concepts and spreads them through social media in order to prepare grounds for its insane aspirations, claiming practically the entire territory of Armenia as an Azerbaijani land.
- As reported an Azerbaijani servicemen entered into the territory of the Republic of Armenia and killed an Armenian citizen. How would you comment on this incident and what kind of steps did the MFA of Armenia undertake to integrate the international community in condemning Azerbaijan for its behavior?
Azerbaijani soldier illegally entered the territory of Armenia a few days ago, deliberately and brutally murdered an Armenian citizen and attempted to inform the Azerbaijani side about this incident as well as about his intention to kill other Armenian civilians. Filming the murder is another proof օf Azerbaijani systematic policy encouraging Armenophobia in the society of Azerbaijan.
The Republic of Armenia constantly calls on the international community, countries and international organizations interested in the establishment of peace in our region to strongly condemn Azerbaijan’s actions and its violations of international obligations. And, we are confident that after these recent statements of the President of Azerbaijan, when he openly admits the fact of the preplanned aggression and occupation of the sovereign territories of the Republic of Armenia and also explicitly reveals his intentions to subject the population of Nagorno-Karabakh to ethnic cleansing, the international community should not have any doubts about the fact that this as well as the above-mentioned crimes were organized at the state level. The lack of addressed and targeted measures by the international community fails to prevent further escalation of the situation by Azerbaijan. I have to note that Armenia treats the Azerbaijani soldiers with full compliance to international humanitarian law and they have been visited by the Human rights defender and the ICRC.
- What is the position of Turkey in terms of Armenia Azerbaijan relations?
As Greece, Armenia is also interested in normalization of relations with its neighbors and we are sincere in our commitments. Armenia and Turkey are currently involved in the process of normalization of relations, the ban on direct air cargo transportation has been lifted. Commencing direct air cargo transportation between Armenia and Turkey was one of the agreements reached at the meeting of special representatives on July 1, 2022. We expect that the other agreement - ensuring the possibility to cross the land border for citizens of third countries and diplomatic passport holders, will also be implemented as soon as possible.
Armenia repeatedly voiced its position, namely - the process of normalization should not assume any preconditions. In this context, any reference to Armenia-Azerbaijan relations does not contribute to a conducive environment for stabilization of the situation.
I would like to once again reiterate the willingness of the Republic of Armenia to build peace in the region through establishing relations with our immediate neighbors, however this can only be accomplished if all the stakeholders are interested in peace and stability of the region.
