(MENAFN- AzerNews)
Fatima Hasanova read more Amid the ongoing picketing of the Shusha-Khankandi road in
Karabakh by a group of Azerbaijani eco-activists in protest at the
illicit exploitation of mineral resources by the separatists, the
Foreign Ministry arranged the second briefing for foreign diplomats
accredited in the country to update them on the latest
developments.
The violation of the status of the Lachin road is contrary to
the provisions of the tripartite declaration, Foreign Minister
Jeyhun Bayramov told the diplomatic corps, according to
Azernews.
“We want to discuss numerous cases of misuse of the Lachin road
and instances of violations of laws with diplomats. Cases of abuse
and violations of the law are contrary to the provisions of the
tripartite statement. It is important to have a common
understanding of this case,” the minister noted.
Azerbaijan has always been open to dialog, the minister said,
voicing Baku's readiness to resolve outstanding issues through
communication.
'Azerbaijan's openness to the dialog once again testifies to its
support for resolving this issue through cooperation. Azerbaijan
has also demonstrated this approach before. In the process of
construction of the alternative Lachin road, we had contact with
the local Armenian population, and a number of their requests were
taken into consideration,' the minister said.
The top diplomat added that Azerbaijan is ready to provide
necessary humanitarian aid to Karabakh Armenians.
“The Armenian population of Karabakh has no problems with food
or medicines. Azerbaijan is ready to provide any humanitarian
assistance,” Jeyhun Bayramov said, adding that Baku is not
responsible for the gas supply to the separatist part of
Karabakh.
“All talk about gas is groundless. In mountainous areas, there
are recurring problems due to cold weather. The leaders of the
local Armenian population are spreading false information and they
avoid communication,” the top diplomat said.
He made it clear that Azerbaijani eco-activists picketing the
Shusha-Khankandi road have not blocked the road and“civilian
vehicles can move freely along the road in both directions, so
there can be no talk of a humanitarian crisis”.
'Pashinyan's statement about a humanitarian catastrophe
allegedly happening there is off-beam. Azerbaijan has repeatedly
stated its readiness to provide for the humanitarian needs of the
Armenians living in its territories, if necessary,' Bayramov
added.
Another meeting between the Azerbaijani and Armenian foreign
ministers may take place by the end of 2022 to discuss a peace
treaty, Jeyhun Bayramov said.
“Azerbaijan is open to dialog,” the minister said, noting that
over the past two years, meetings were held in a trilateral
format.
“Meetings in other formats are no exception. Azerbaijan is
always supportive of conducting meetings in any format. Even if the
meeting does not produce tangible results, the discussion of the
remaining open issues in itself is a positive sign,” the minister
added.
In his opinion, the reasons for the protest were made public at
a briefing two days ago.
“At the same time, during the past two days, we have witnessed
the lies used for manipulations,” Bayramov added.
Following the December 3 and 7, 2022, discussions with the
command of the Russian peacekeeping contingent, Azerbaijani
specialists from the Economy Ministry, Ecology and Natural
Resources Ministry, the State Service for Property Issues under the
Ministry of Economy and AzerGold Company were to conduct primary
monitoring into illicit exploitation of mineral deposits in the
territory of Azerbaijan. But the monitoring failed as a result of a
provocation by local ethnic Armenians at the instigation of
separatist leaders in the area.
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Tags: karabakh azerbaijani foreign ministry minerals ecology protest