(MENAFN- AzerNews) February 20 marks the 71st day of the open-ended
picketing of the Khankandi-Lachin road by a group of Azerbaijani
eco-activists, NGO, and public representatives in protest at the
plundering of the nation's natural resources by the separatist
Armenians in areas under the temporary control of the Russian
peacekeepers in Karabakh.
The Russian peacekeepers, who have been deployed in the region
since November 10, 2020, to preserve peace and order with a gradual
transition of the region under Azerbaijan's control as envisaged by
the tripartite peace deal, failed to live up to their mission to
prevent the looting and destruction of the nature.
Following numerous failures, on December 12, 2020, a group of
Azerbaijani eco-activists took to the streets in protest at the
inactivity of the Russian peacekeeping contingent and their failure
to cope with their duties. Since then, the eco-activists have been
in the area preventing the plunder of natural resources and
transportation of them to Armenia under the eyes of the so-called
peacekeepers.
The demands with which the Azerbaijani eco-activists have been
on the venue remain unchanged and the situation has already gained
international recognition with mixed reactions. Nevertheless,
despite cold and constantly changing weather conditions, the
protest on the Khankandi-Lachin road against the illegal
exploitation of mineral deposits in the Karabakh economic region of
Azerbaijan continue and will go ahead without any doubts as the
major demands of the Azerbaijani protesters have not been
honored.
Volunteers and activists taking part in the demonstrations,
without interfering with the movement of vehicles in both
directions, keep chanting slogans similar slogans throughout the
day for 71 days.
'Azerbaijan is the owner of its mineral resources!', 'End
environmental crimes!', 'Stop eco-terror!', 'Protect nature!', 'No
to ecocide! Yes to monitoring' are some of them chanted and heard
on daily basis.
The latest situation on the major Karabakh road was also
discussed at Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev's recent meeting
with the Armenian prime minister and the US Secretary of State.
Addressing a group of reporters in Munich, the Azerbaijani
president said.
“Of course, the situation on the Lachin-Khankandi road was also
discussed. I reiterated Azerbaijan's position that there is no
question of any kind of blockade. More than 2,500 trucks and Red
Cross vehicles have passed along the road since December 12, and if
there had been a blockade, how could these vehicles have got
through? In other words, this is an unfounded accusation against
Azerbaijan, we are rejecting it, and I can say that this position
was met with understanding in all the meetings I have had,” the
president said.
The president further added that“the European Union understands
our position as well. We rightfully demand that the illegal
exploitation of our fields be stopped and until this is achieved, I
am sure that our social activists will not give up their honorable
mission. I have tried to communicate this message as well today. I
have also stated that it would be good if Armenia and Azerbaijan
established checkpoints on the Armenian-Azerbaijan border in a
bilateral manner. We made this suggestion earlier and made it
official today. Previously, this suggestion was communicated
through unofficial channels. Armenia did not voice any position.
They probably need some time to discuss it”.
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