Azerbaijani State-Controlled Media Clarifies How to Deliver Cargo to Artsakh via Aghdam

The Azerbaijani state-controlled media outlet, Haqqin.az, has provided clarification on the terms for delivering supplies from Aghdam to Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh). The author raises the question of how to transport cargo from Aghdam.

“Although the Azerbaijani side has not yet disclosed details, it can already be asserted that Armenian trucks lined up near the Hakari Bridge cannot access not only the Lachin-Khankendi road (the name given to Stepanakert in Azerbaijan) but also the Aghdam-Askeran-Khankendi highway. This is because to reach these roads, they would have to cross the Azerbaijani border from other directions (from Gubadli, Kelbajar, or Qazakh), which is currently impossible,” the article states.

“Therefore, in order to deliver the necessary cargo to Khankendi, the Armenian separatists or the ICRC must purchase these items directly from Azerbaijani suppliers and transport them through Aghdam. Another option would be to bring the cargo by train from Russia to Barda and then use road transport to deliver it to Khankendi via Aghdam. Considering that the supply of the Russian peacekeeping contingent from Armenia has been suspended, this option seems more reasonable.”

“However, it is crucial to note that this is about a limited volume of humanitarian cargo. To obtain essential supplies such as fuel, electricity, and natural gas, the people of Artsakh must directly appeal to official Azerbaijani structures. In other words, these people need to initiate the process of dismantling the self-proclaimed separatist regime in Khankendi and agree to obtain Azerbaijani citizenship,” the article mentions.

It is noted that following the recent trilateral meeting in Brussels, EU Foreign Policy Chief Charles Michel announced Azerbaijan's proposal regarding the transportation of humanitarian cargo via Aghdam. This option has been categorically rejected in Artsakh, where cement barriers have been erected along the route.