Bayramov Responds to Zakharova's Call to Open the Lachin Corridor

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan, Jeyhun Bayramov, has commented on the statement made by Maria Zakharova, the head of the Russian Foreign Ministry's press service, regarding the blockade of the Lachin road. He stated that while calls should be heard and analyzed, Azerbaijan conducts its policy not based on calls from others, but in line with its national interests.

It is recalled that during a briefing, Zakharova expressed Moscow's extreme concern over the increasing incidents of ceasefire violations in Nagorno-Karabakh and the ongoing blockade of the Lachin corridor. "We urge the Azerbaijani side to unblock the Lachin corridor and ensure the unobstructed movement of citizens, vehicles, and cargo for civilian purposes," Zakharova noted.

“Of course, calls should be heard. It is important to analyze them, and we are doing that, providing appropriate responses... Azerbaijan has its perspective on resolving issues in accordance with international legal norms and principles. We conduct our policy not based on someone else's calls, but based on our national interests. We are confident that this policy will yield positive results,” stated the Azerbaijani foreign minister.

It should be noted that Baku blocked the only road connecting Artsakh to Armenia, the Lachin corridor, on December 12 of last year, and on April 23 of this year, unlawfully set up a checkpoint at the beginning of the corridor on the bridge over the Hakari River.