Azerbaijani government considers that the Lachin corridor should be opened for both Azerbaijan and Armenia. It can not be granted for only Armenia.
“The Lachin path is very important for Azerbaijan and we cannot agree upon its use only by Armenia. This is impossible,” Azerbaijani President’s special envoy for the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and Deputy Minister of foreign affairs of Azerbaijan, Araz Azimov told journalists on Oct.1.
“We have heard repeatedly that Armenia intends to liaise with the Armenian community of the Nagorno-Karabakh through the Lachin corridor. This road is also important for the Azerbaijanis and we cannot accept its one-sided use,” Azimov said.
Ankara shares the same position. Earlier Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davudolgu proposed to allow both sides to use this corridor, considering it to play an important role in the development of relations among Azerbaijan, Turkey and Armenia.
The issue on Lachin corridor will be discussed during the OSCE Minsk Group’s next visit to the region, Azimov added.
The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan since 1992, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and 7 surrounding districts. Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group – Russia, France, and the U.S. – are currently holding the peace negotiations.
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