No:361/23, Commentary on the views voiced by Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan during the government meeting on 29 June
29 June 2023 17:48
We strongly reject the views once again voiced by Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan during the government meeting on 29 June that Azerbaijan allegedly escalates the situation in the region, carries out a policy of “ethnic cleansing” against Armenian residents, and keeps the region under “blockade.”
The injury of an Azerbaijani serviceman on 27 June as a result of the provocation of Armenian armed forces, which Armenia has still not fully withdrawn from the territory of Azerbaijan contrary to its obligation, is, along with the deliberate escalation of the situation in the region, an attempt to obstruct the negotiations held in the United States between the Foreign Ministers.
Presenting the measures taken by the Azerbaijani side against Armenian armed formations in response to the noted provocation as “ethnic cleansing” is absurd. Along with this, it is known that Armenia cannot digest the passage of Armenian residents in both directions through the Lachin border checkpoint in a regulated and transparent manner. In this regard, the false propaganda about the existence of a “tense humanitarian situation” in the region has no basis.
The Armenian side must refrain from interfering in the internal affairs of Azerbaijan, respect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan not only in words but also in deeds, and immediately withdraw Armenian armed forces, which pose a threat to peace and security in the region, from the territory of Azerbaijan.