United Kingdom expresses concern regarding disruptions to Lachin Corridor and associated humanitarian consequences
YEREVAN, January 18. /ARKA/. The ongoing disruptions to the Lachin Corridor and the associated humanitarian consequences are deeply worrying, the head of UK Delegation to the OSCE Neil Bush said in a statement.
“We regret that despite this issue being raised here at the OSCE and the United Nations Security Council, significant progress has not been made. We urge the Government of Azerbaijan to take all measures to allow for the unhindered movement of humanitarian goods and civilians.
The United Kingdom acknowledges that both sides have concerns regarding the implementation of agreements made in relation to the 2020 ceasefire. We urge Armenia and Azerbaijan to undertake meaningful negotiations to find a sustainable and peaceful settlement that secures lasting peace and stability for the region.
The United Kingdom offers our continued, unwavering and unconditional support to the international mechanisms, including the OSCE, which are working to support peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan. It remains clear: only through peacefully facilitated dialogue can peace be reached.’
The only road connecting Artsakh and Armenia has been blockaded by Azerbaijan since December 12, 2022. Before the blockade about 400 tons of food was supplied to Artsakh from Armenia daily.
About a thousand people (including several dozen children, have been separated from their families.
All planned surgical operations are suspended. After pressure from the ECHR, following the death of a seriously ill person in a Stepanakert hospital, and thanks to the mediation of the International Red Cross, some patients are being transferred by special convoys to medical centres in Armenia.
Pharmacies are running out of stocks of all medicines. Fuel is running out, food is running out and shops are empty. Kindergartens are closed because it is not possible to provide food for children
Some 120,000 people (including 30,000 children and 20,000 elderly) are on the verge of a humanitarian crisis. -0-
