Denying Aid Cargos Will Confirm Baku's Intentions to Commit Genocide in Artsakh, Warns Pashinyan

In a strongly worded statement, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan cautioned that if Azerbaijan obstructs the entry of an Armenian humanitarian aid convoy into the Lachin Corridor, it would reinforce suspicions of Baku's intentions to commit genocide in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh).

Addressing the Cabinet meeting on Thursday, Pashinyan asserted, "We've asked the Russian peacekeepers deployed in Nagorno-Karabakh to accept the cargo and transport it to Nagorno-Karabakh, where there's an ongoing humanitarian crisis resulting from the nearly 8-month blockade of the Lachin Corridor. However, Azerbaijan is obstructing the access of the humanitarian goods into Lachin Corridor and Nagorno-Karabakh. This conduct is incomprehensible and unacceptable."

Rejecting Azerbaijani claims that Armenia is exploiting the Lachin Corridor for military purposes as "absurd," Pashinyan contended that such allegations serve as a pretext for Azerbaijan to unlawfully block the corridor.

The humanitarian convoy, comprising 19 trucks en route to Artsakh, is laden with essential supplies including 100 tons of flour, 80 tons of pasta, 60 tons of sugar, 40 tons of vegetable oil, 40 tons of powdered milk, 20 tons of salt, 12 tons of baby food, and 9 tons of medication.

Furthermore, Pashinyan revealed that diplomats from the international community based in Armenia were invited to review the cargo before its dispatch. He questioned Azerbaijan's motives for impeding the entry of these vital goods, stating, "Perhaps because Azerbaijan's true goal is to starve the people of Nagorno-Karabakh, subject them to genocide."

Pashinyan further emphasized that despite Armenia's concerns, they await the response of the Russian peacekeeping contingent and an official reaction from Baku. He emphasized that blocking the humanitarian cargo would reinforce fears of Baku's sinister intentions.

Access to the humanitarian cargo in Artsakh, Pashinyan underscored, could bolster peace-building efforts in the region and contribute to establishing a much-needed atmosphere of trust. The outcome of this critical situation remains keenly observed by the international community as tensions persist between Armenia and Azerbaijan.