Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov, in a telephone conversation on January 10 with U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Karen Donfried, accused Armenia of transporting landmines along the Lachin Corridor to Karabakh and using the roadway to illegally ferry third country nationals across the border.

Bayramov, according to a press release distributed by his office, said such provocations by Armenia have hindered Baku’s attempts to normalize relations with Yerevan.

Bayramov told Donfried that Armenian allegations that the closure of the Lachin Corridor has resulted in a humanitarian disaster in Karabakh are false, claiming that many vehicles of the International Red Cross and the Russian peacekeeping contingent use the roadway daily.

He said that the demands of the Azerbaijani “eco-protesters” blocking the roadway are “legitimate” and must be addressed.

Bayramov said that Karabakh residents can “freely use the roadway, but local Armenian authorities in Karabakh don’t want them to.

He stressed Baku’s commitment to dialogue and its readiness to work towards the establishment of peace in the region.

Donfried and Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan also discussed the Lachin Corridor by telephone on January 10.

Mirzoyan, according to his office, told Donfried that Baku’s closure of the roadway has resulted in a worsening humanitarian crisis for Karabakh.

He also denied Azerbaijani claims that illegal mining is taking place in Karabakh.

Images: abzas.net