Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has refused to meet with visiting Belgian Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib following her remarks calling on Baku to reopen the Lachin Corridor, this according to the Azerbaijani Press Agency (APA).

Lahib, during her visit to Armenia earlier this week, said Belgium and the European Union continue to insist that Azerbaijan is obliged to ensure the safety of the residents of Nagorno Karabakh and free movement through the Lachin Corridor.

Aliyev usually meets with visiting foreign minsters as protocol. 

"Limiting movement through the Lachin Corridor has serious consequences and causes threats of disease and starvation. It was also confirmed this morning during my meeting with the International Committee of the Red Cross that the lives of the people of Karabakh are in danger, and this is unacceptable," Lahib said in Yerevan.

Lahib did meet with Azerbaijan Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov. She visited Georgia and Armenia before travelling to Baku.

Photo: Press Service of the President of Azerbaijan