Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) does not negotiate the opening of any road other than the Lachin Corridor, President Arayik Harutyunyan has said.
Addressing demonstrators outside the parliament building in Stepanakert, the Nagorno-Karabakh President said that malnutrition is now the cause of every third death amid the ongoing Azeri blockade.
The demonstrators had gathered after Azeri border guards kidnapped three residents of Nagorno-Karabakh in Lachin Corridor.
“Famine, widespread shortages, pregnant women are suffering miscarriages as a result of this situation. We’ve come to this situation because we had faith in everyone, the major powers, the UN,” Harutyunyan said.
He added that he held an emergency meeting for 6 hours Monday evening with political forces but they did not reach any joint decision. Harutyunyan said as president he has a duty to make a decision, which nevertheless could not get public approval.
“We must solve our food problem, the humanitarian problem in a very short period of time, within a few days,” Harutyunyan said. This comment sparked an angry reaction by the crowd, who said that they are fighting for their right to live in their homeland and build a future, and not for food.
“We are alone. We don’t have friends or support. We will resolve all problems together,” Harutyunyan responded.
He said that they are not discussing the opening of any other roads except the Lachin Corridor.
“Regardless of anything the issue of the road must be resolved. We were waiting so far, we had faith, we believed Putin, we believed Biden, we believed Macron and the government of Armenia…but we are left as hostages,” Harutyunyan said, vowing to resolve the humanitarian issue soon.
