Azerbaijan has taken “applicable” steps close to Lachin highway to forestall unlawful Armenian actions, says the nation’s Overseas Ministry.
(AA Archive)
Azerbaijan has accused Armenia of attempting to “purposefully disrupt the peace course of” and endangering regional stability, as tensions develop over Armenian navy actions in Karabakh.
An Azerbaijani Overseas Ministry assertion on Saturday stated its navy has taken “applicable management measures” close to the Lachin highway to forestall unlawful Armenian actions and “potential provocations.”
“The current provocations by Armenia show that in an effort to stop unlawful actions within the sovereign territories of Azerbaijan, it’s mandatory to ascertain a border management checkpoint between Azerbaijan and Armenia on the endpoint of the Lachin highway,” the ministry stated.
It reiterated that Armenia has “intensified” navy actions, together with the transport of personnel, weapons and different tools, by way of Azerbaijani territories the place Russian peacekeepers are quickly deployed.
“As well as, within the final days, the activation of unlawful highway building works by Armenians on the Khankendi-Khalfali-Turshsu highway and Khankendi-Kosalar-Mirzeler-Turshsu highway that passes north of this route was recorded by related technique of surveillance,” the assertion stated.
“Regardless of quite a few appeals from the Azerbaijani facet and discussions held on this regard, no mandatory measures have been taken to forestall the transportation of weapons and different navy tools.”
The ministry additionally referred to the March 5 killing of two Azerbaijani troopers, who had been shot lifeless by Armenian forces after they tried to cease automobiles for an inspection on the Khankendi-Khalfali-Turshsu highway.
It stated the incident “demonstrated Armenia’s intention to intentionally worsen the state of affairs.”
READ MORE: Azerbaijan: Troopers killed in conflict after Armenian provocation
‘Aggressive rhetoric’
The Overseas Ministry additionally referred to as out Armenia’s leaders for his or her “aggressive rhetoric” over current days.
“Particularly, the repeated statements by the Armenian president, prime minister and overseas minister towards Azerbaijan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity are vivid examples that this nation has not but given up its territorial claims towards Azerbaijan,” learn the assertion.
“These steps of Armenia have proven its intention to purposefully disrupt the peace course of, in addition to its lack of curiosity in guaranteeing peace and stability within the area, amid the current revival of worldwide efforts for a peace settlement.”
The ministry urged Armenia to “chorus from provocative actions and statements that worsen the state of affairs within the area, to intrude in Azerbaijan’s inside affairs, and to fulfil its obligations as a substitute of continuous to attempt to confuse the worldwide group.”
Relations between the 2 former Soviet republics have been tense since 1991 when the Armenian navy occupied Nagorno-Karabakh, a territory internationally recognised as a part of Azerbaijan, and 7 adjoining areas.
Within the fall of 2020, Azerbaijan liberated a number of cities, villages and settlements from Armenian occupation after 44 days of intense preventing that ended with a Russian-brokered peace settlement.
READ MORE: Why is Lachin Hall sparking tensions between Azerbaijan and Armenia?
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