A regular session of the RA government was held today, chaired by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

Before discussing the issues on the agenda, the head of the government spoke about the humanitarian crisis created in Nagorno-Karabakh due to the Lachin Corridor's illegal blocking and presented Armenia's idea of solving the situation.

In his speech, Nikol Pashinyan, in particular, noted:

"Dear participants of the government session,
Dear people,

The humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh continues to worsen. The illegal blockade of the Lachin Corridor continues despite an interim ruling by the International Court of Justice on February 22 of this year.

I would like to remind you that by a decision with binding legal force, the court obliged Azerbaijan to take all measures available to ensure the uninterrupted movement of citizens, vehicles, and cargo in both directions through the Lachin Corridor. The court emphasized that its decision creates a binding legal force for Azerbaijan. This court decision needs to be implemented; neither citizens, vehicles, nor goods move through the Lachin Corridor. Moreover, even Red Cross vehicles were banned.

These are essential facts that counter Azerbaijan's arguments that the forces and countries that speak out about Nagorno-Karabakh and the Lachin Corridor allegedly interfere in Azerbaijan's internal affairs.

Failure to implement the decision of the International Court of Justice and ensure the implementation of the court's decision is an issue of the international agenda, and we should approach the problem with this logic. And it is essential to record that the non-fulfillment and disregard of that decision have led to a humanitarian crisis.

The population of Nagorno-Karabakh is deprived of external supplies of natural gas and electric energy, and the local capacities of electric energy production are sufficient for only partial supplies. External supplies of food and essential goods to Nagorno Karabakh have been stopped. There is a significant shortage of medicines. Under these conditions, even seriously ill patients cannot be transported. Everything is being done to make the life of Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh impossible. This is precisely the policy of ethnic cleansing that we have been warning about for years.

Dear participants of the government session,
Dear people,

Our idea of a solution to this situation is as follows:

1. The legally binding decision of the International Court of Justice of February 22 must be implemented, and this is a matter of the international agenda, including the issue of the UN Security Council, because it is this body that is authorized to ensure the implementation of the decisions of the International Court of Justice.

2. The international mechanism of the Baku-Stepanakert dialogue should be launched, within the framework of which the problem of the rights and security of the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh will be addressed.

As for Armenia-Azerbaijan relations, our position remains the same: we must make every effort to establish peace and conclude an agreement on regulating relations. Next week, the Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan meeting will take place in Washington, and our delegation is leaving for the United States with this attitude.

Armenia also proposed to Azerbaijan to hold a meeting of the demarcation commission, and there is an agreement in principle to hold the meeting. Armenia is also ready to unblock the transport and economic routes of the region a day ahead under the principles of sovereignty, jurisdiction, and reciprocity of the parties. Thank you."