The Lachin Corridor Should Be Under the Control of the Russian Peacekeeping Forces, Says Artsakh Foreign Ministry in Response to Lavrov's Statement

The Artsakh Press News Agency has requested a comment from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Artsakh regarding Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's statement that the Russian peacekeeping forces, authorized by the trilateral statement to monitor traffic through the Lachin Corridor, have all the necessary capabilities to inspect vehicles.

In response to the inquiry, the Ministry's Information and Public Relations Department emphasized that according to the trilateral statement of November 9, 2020, the Lachin Corridor should remain under the control and protection of the Russian Federation's peacekeeping forces. Thus, the trilateral statement explicitly authorizes the Russian peacekeeping contingent to oversee traffic along the Lachin Corridor.

There is no doubt that the Russian peacekeeping forces possess all the necessary, including technical, capabilities to inspect vehicles in order to ensure the safe operation of the corridor.

“At the same time, it should be noted that according to the trilateral statement, Azerbaijan must guarantee the safety of citizens, vehicles, and cargo moving in both directions through the Lachin Corridor without any restrictions,” the official comment stated.