Pashinyan: Opening of Lachin Corridor a Crucial Step in Genocide Prevention

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan emphasizes urgent need for humanitarian intervention as Nagorno-Karabakh crisis escalates.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has issued a stern warning regarding the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), emphasizing the pressing need for international attention and action. In a cabinet meeting, Pashinyan expressed grave concerns about the escalating crisis and drew attention to the plight of the region's farmers, who are increasingly targeted by Azerbaijani military forces in disruptive shootings that hinder harvesting activities.

Prime Minister Pashinyan's remarks underscored the severity of the situation, revealing that Azerbaijan has not only blocked vital aid, such as the 100 tons of flour dispatched by the Armenian government for the people of Artsakh, but has also prevented the local population from harvesting their own grain. This, Pashinyan argued, provides compelling evidence for the claims made by international experts that Azerbaijan is deliberately using starvation as a means to perpetrate genocide against the Armenians residing in Nagorno-Karabakh.

Against this backdrop, Pashinyan stressed that the opening of the Lachin Corridor, a strategic passage connecting Armenia to Artsakh, should be perceived as a pivotal step aimed at preventing further acts of genocide. He urged the international community to focus its attention on this aspect, recognizing the dire consequences of the ongoing blockade and its potential to escalate into a full-fledged humanitarian disaster.

"The international community ought to focus on this perception," Pashinyan asserted during the cabinet meeting. He presented the opening of the Lachin Corridor as a proactive measure to thwart the potential genocidal consequences of the blockade and stressed the urgency of immediate intervention.

The Armenian Prime Minister further proposed a comprehensive solution to the crisis, consisting of the lifting of the illegal blockade imposed by Azerbaijan and the initiation of a Stepanakert-Baku dialogue under the auspices of an international mechanism. Pashinyan's proposal seeks to address the core issues contributing to the ongoing conflict and pave the way for peaceful negotiations to find a lasting resolution.

Pashinyan concluded his statement with an earnest plea, reiterating Armenia's steadfast commitment to the pursuit of peace. He implored the Azerbaijani government to refrain from actions that would undermine the historic opportunity for establishing a lasting peace in the region.

As tensions continue to rise in Nagorno-Karabakh, the international community watches closely, weighing in on Pashinyan's warnings and the urgency of addressing the escalating humanitarian crisis before it reaches a point of no return.