Free Movement of People and Goods Must Be Ensured: U.S. State Department on the Installation of Checkpoint

The U.S. State Department is deeply concerned about the installation of a checkpoint in the Lachin corridor. This was announced during a press briefing by Vedant Patel, Deputy Spokesperson for the U.S. State Department.

“This issue in the South Caucasus is something that the Secretary of State appreciates deeply and attaches great importance to. As you saw, over the weekend we stated that the State Department is deeply troubled by the establishment of a checkpoint in the Lachin corridor. Frankly speaking, it undermines efforts to build trust in the peace process, and we believe that there should be free and open movement of people and goods in the Lachin corridor. Senior Advisor Bono, Assistant Secretary Hogan, and the Secretary of State – we plan to continue to be deeply engaged on this matter,” Patel stated.

When asked whether U.S. representatives on the ground had been unaware during negotiations that such an action was being prepared, Patel responded that he does not intend to delve into diplomatic assessments or details of conversations held on the ground.