Response to EU

On July 26, the European Union expressed deep concern about the serious humanitarian situation affecting the local population in Karabakh. In the statement issued by Joseph Borrell, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs, it is noted that despite the decisions of the International Court of Justice, movement through the Lachin corridor has been blocked for more than seven months.

Borrell emphasized that medical supplies and necessary goods are lacking or have already run out and said that the Azerbaijani authorities should ensure free and safe movement along the Lachin corridor and should not allow the crisis to expand further. "We take into account the proposal of the Azerbaijani authorities regarding the delivery of supplies through the city of Aghdam. This cannot be seen as an alternative to reopening the Lachin corridor," the High Representative added. The EU also called on all parties to fully restore the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) activities in the region, including medical evacuations and humanitarian supplies, and not to politicize humanitarian activities. "The European Union, especially the President of the Council of Europe, Charles Michel, has been seriously engaged in supporting the normalization process between Armenia and Azerbaijan and promoting the dialogue between Baku and Khankendi. It also requires a genuine commitment by all parties to the outcome of the negotiations, to a future based on common interests and mutual trust," the statement said.

On July 27, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan responded to the statement of Joseph Borrell. It said that it is fundamentally wrong to present the legitimate measures taken by Azerbaijan to prevent illegal activities through the Lachin road as closing the Lachin road. "Despite the armed attack on the departure point of Lachin on June 15, smuggling attempts, as well as the provocation of sending car convoys under the name of 'humanitarian cargo' on July 26, the Azerbaijani side continued to cooperate with the ICRC operating in the region and organized the passage of Armenian residents for medical purposes," it added.

Official Baku said that it proposes to use "Aghdam-Khankendi" [Stepanakert in Armenian] and other alternative roads, taking into account the threats from Armenia when it comes to bringing larger loads to the territory of Azerbaijan. "Even though this proposal was welcomed by international partners, including the European Union and the ICRC, the Armenian side and the persons presenting themselves as representatives of the local Armenian residents obstructed it, blocked the roads, and prevented the transportation of goods, and speculations about the 'tense humanitarian situation' are nothing more than political manipulation," the statement said.

Response to France

In a statement issued by the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs on July 27, France regretted Azerbaijan's continued blockade of the Lachin Corridor, noting that it contradicted the ceasefire agreement and jeopardized the negotiation process.

"France calls on Azerbaijan to comply with its international obligations and to implement the measures resulting from the February 22 decision of the International Court of Justice. We demand the restoration of the free movement of people, goods, and cargo in both directions along the Lachin corridor and the uninterrupted supply of gas and electricity to the population," the statement emphasized. France also expressed its support for the July 26 statement made by the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Joseph Borrell, on the humanitarian situation in Karabakh and expressed its full commitment to promoting just and sustainable peace in the region along with the European Union.

On the same day, in response, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan stated that it firmly rejects France's claim that Azerbaijan has blockaded the Lachin road, saying that it is unacceptable for Azerbaijan to consider the establishment of the Lachin border checkpoint as a violation of its obligations. "The French side, referring to the decision of the International Court of Justice, forgot that the court confirmed the full legitimacy of the Lachin border crossing point with its decision dated July 6, and Armenia's appeals to eliminate this point and withdraw the border guards were unanimously rejected. The Azerbaijani side has the obligation and authority to prevent the use of the Lachin road for illegal purposes and to prevent misuse of the road by applying control and transparency at the border," Aykhan Hajizada, the Press Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said. 

Official Baku emphasized that, despite the provocations, through the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), conditions were created for the passage of Armenian residents through the border crossing point of Lachin. In just one day, on July 27, the passage of 34 people was ensured through 7 vehicles. "Albeit alternative ways including 'Aghdam-Khankendi' were proposed for the transportation of large volumes of goods to the territory, the disrespect shown for this decision in the sovereign territory of Azerbaijan for a long time shows that the claims made about the humanitarian situation are only speculations. In the context of all these issues, the fact that the French side is still silent against Armenian provocations and makes biased calls against Azerbaijan shows that the policy implemented by France is wrong," the Ministry said.

Response to Pashinyan

At a government meeting on July 27, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated that Armenia is waiting for a positive reaction from Azerbaijan for the passage of humanitarian cargo to Nagorno-Karabakh. 

He recalled that in the context of the humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh, a decision was made to provide humanitarian assistance. A convoy of 19 trucks with 360 tons of food reached Kornidzor and stopped at the entrance to the Lachin corridor.

According to Pashinyan, Armenia asked the Russian peacekeepers to accept the cargo and deliver it to Nagorno-Karabakh. "However, Azerbaijan prevents cargo entry into the Lachin corridor and Nagorno-Karabakh," he said. "Azerbaijan explains its actions by the fact that Armenia allegedly uses the corridor for military purposes. This is a ridiculous statement. This is a reason for the blockade of the Lachin corridor," Pashinyan pointed out.

On the same day, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry reported that the Armenian side sending car convoys to the sovereign territories of Azerbaijan under the name of 'humanitarian cargo' without agreement with Baku is another provocation against the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan.

"Instead of blaming Azerbaijan for the so-called 'genocide' attempts, the Armenian side should apologize for the forced deportation of Azerbaijanis from the territory of Armenia, mass deaths of people when they were expelled from their homes, genocide as a result of aggression and occupation of Azerbaijani territories, crimes against humanity, ethnic cleansing policy," it reported.

Response to Mirzoyan

Moreover, on July 27, Ararat Mirzoyan, the Foreign Minister of Armenia, said that point seven of the November 9, 2020, Trilateral statement envisages the return of refugees to the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh and neighboring regions, which so far has not been implemented by Azerbaijan.

"Nevertheless, the problem of ensuring the rights and security of the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh, a local indigenous people, is entirely different in its deep essence and has no parallels. It cannot in any way be connected with other topics, including one of the rights of 'citizens living' (as described by the Foreign Minister of Russia) in the Republic of Armenia, provided under international commitments and fully ensured by the Republic of Armenia. Accordingly, during the last trilateral meeting in Moscow, there was no discussion, let alone agreement, outside of this logic," he added.

Mirzoyan said: "We reiterate our principled position that the illegal blockade of the Lachin corridor should be eliminated, and the regime enshrined in the Trilateral statement of November 9 should be restored. The Republic of Armenia has no authority and cannot discuss issues related to other roads for cargo transportation to Nagorno-Karabakh. It is noteworthy that the international partners also stressed in their public statements that the lifting of the blockade of the Lachin corridor has no alternative and that various references on other roads cannot be considered as an alternative to lifting the blockade of the Lachin corridor, which is the direct obligation of Azerbaijan."

On July 28, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry reported that Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan, during an interview with the press on July 27, made territorial claims against Azerbaijan's territorial integrity and sovereignty and baseless speculations that grossly distorted the negotiation process and agreements reached, as well as historical facts. performed with

"Foreign Minister A. Mirzoyan's denial of the fact that Azerbaijanis were forcefully evicted from their lands in the territory of Armenia, his claim that a parallel approach is not applied between the rights of the West Azerbaijani Community and the rights of the Armenian residents living in the Karabakh region, and his denial of the negotiations held in this regard, Armenia's relevant international obligations, violates its responsibility within the framework of the conventions, including its intention to justify its systematic and purposeful policy of ethnic cleansing for decades," the report added.