The leaders of the inter-parliamentary connexions working groups of the Milli Majlis sent out an address to overseas parliaments on 27 July.

It is stated in the communication that the information circulated recently about the alleged lack of food and medicines for the Armenian-extraction residents of the areas of temporary deployment of the Russian peacekeeping forces in the Garabagh Region of Azerbaijan is a political manipulation aimed at misleading the international community and intended to deal a blow to the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The WG leaders stress that the blocking by the separatists of the Aghdam-Khankendi road proposed by Azerbaijan for the transportation of humanitarian goods to the town of Khankendi and surrounding villages testifies to the true intentions of the forces that started this campaign. And these intentions are as follows: to prevent the reintegration of the Armenian inhabitants of Garabagh into Azerbaijani society or to delay this process as much as possible.

As emphasised in the message to overseas parliaments, the Armenian leadership has repeatedly declared its recognition of Garabagh as Azerbaijani territory, so there is no need for food and other products to be brought from Armenia to the ethnic Armenians. As for the Lachin Road, it is part of sovereign Azerbaijani territory, and Azerbaijan has therefore set up a border crossing point for its own citizens on it. Azerbaijan's right to do so is enshrined, inter alia, in the final judgement of the International Court of Justice. Unable to digest this, Armenia has itself imposed restrictions on the use of the Lachin road, having done so by firing at the Azerbaijani border guard, taking provocative actions against the flag of our State and abusing the road in question. If the Armenian side truly supports Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity, it should not then object to cargo haulage via the Aghdam-Khankendi road and should not obstruct the reintegration process.

The appeal ends with a statement to the effect that the international community should also demonstrate a responsible approach to all the above-mentioned, not to give in to the manipulations of the Armenian side, but explain to Armenia the necessity of commitment to constructive dialogue.

The Press and Public Relations Department  

The Milli Majlis