Armenia accuses Azerbaijan of bringing about ‘crisis’ in Karabakh

Yerevan, Armenia (AFP):

Armenia has accused Azerbaijan of being responsible for a “humanitarian crisis” in the Nagorno-Karabakh region after Azerbaijani activists protesting against environmental destruction blocked the only road connecting the territory with Armenia.

Azerbaijani activists have been blocking a road to protest “illegal” mining causing environmental damage in the breakaway region.

Baku claims the protest was spontaneous but Yerevan accused it of “orchestrating the demonstrations.”

Armenia’s parliament on Wednesday adopted a resolution accusing Azerbaijan of “cutting off Nagorno-Karabakh from the outside world”.

It said people there had been “denied the right of free movement” and that the region is suffering from shortages of foodstuffs, medicines and fuel.

“A humanitarian crisis is under way in Nagorno-Karabakh as a result of Azerbaijan’s actions.”

The two rival neighbouring countries have in recent decades fought wars for control of the mountainous territory in the ex-Soviet Caucasus region.

Hikmet Hajiyev, a foreign policy advisor to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, said “Armenia had been for decades exploiting Karabakh’s natural resources and inflicting environmental damage.

“Civil society representatives are trying to stop the illegal transportation of stolen natural resources.”

US State Department spokesman Ned Price warned that the “closure” of the Lachin Corridor connecting Karabakh with Armenia “has severe humanitarian implications and sets back the peace process”.

“We call on the government of Azerbaijan to restore free movement through the corridor,” he added in a statement earlier.