Day: April 23, 2023

Another provocation was committed in Armenia against Azerbaijan and Türkiye.

Footage of the burning of the flags of Azerbaijan and Türkiye on the Republic Square in the center of Yerevan appeared on social media.

Armenia's provocative actions against the two fraternal countries have become more frequent lately.

On April 14, at the opening ceremony of the European Weightlifting Championship, held in Yerevan, Armenia, the state flag of Azerbaijan was publicly burned.

This is a demonstrative action aimed at inciting national hatred and enmity.

After that, at the European Championships in Yerevan, unidentified people cut up the displayed Azerbaijani and Turkish flags.

Source: Trend News Agency

We categorically reject the statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia in connection with the measures Azerbaijan undertook to establish a checkpoint on the Azerbaijani-Armenian border at the beginning of the Lachin-Khankendi road on April 23, Trend reports citing Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry.

"The mentioned statement of the Armenian Foreign Ministry is another attempt to interfere in the internal affairs of Azerbaijan and is unacceptable. Such statements by the Armenian side, interfering in the internal affairs of Azerbaijan, not only do not contribute to peace and tranquility in the region, but also lead to tension increase.

Azerbaijan's legal decision and step to establish a border checkpoint on its sovereign territory complies with all the principles and norms of international law. It is known that the Armenian side announced the recognition of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan following the meetings in Prague and Sochi, to which the country often refers. Based on this, Armenia must accept and respect the right of Azerbaijan to control the exit and entry into its territory.

In a situation where, after the 44-day Patriotic War of 2020, the Armenian side, contrary to the provisions of the trilateral Statement dated November 10, 2020, has not stopped military provocations against Azerbaijan, used the road for illegal actions, transported weapons and mines, and rotated its military personnel, the establishment of this checkpoint is a legitimate decision and a national security decision. At the same time, on April 22, the transfer of two military accommodation containers and a convoy of military equipment with trucks belonging to Armenia to the territory of Azerbaijan and the activities of Armenia to build military infrastructure at the point closest to the territory of Azerbaijan at the beginning of the Lachin-Khankendi road were among factors that led to the acceleration of this decision.

With regard to the unfounded assertion that Azerbaijan allegedly violated its obligations under the trilateral statement, we would like to remind the Armenian side that the Armenian leadership confirmed at the highest level that the trilateral statement does not provide this country with any function in the issue of organizing traffic on the Lachin-Khankendi road. According to the abovementioned statement, Azerbaijan undertakes to guarantee the safety of citizens, vehicles and goods moving along the Lachin-Khankendi road. This obligation also includes the prevention of misuse of the Lachin road. Also, the organization of a border checkpoint at the beginning of the road does not cause a change in the movement on the road.

Ensuring the security of the border, which is not related to the trilateral statement, is the prerogative of the Azerbaijani Government and a necessary condition for national security, state sovereignty, and the rule of law.

The absurd claim that the establishment of the border checkpoint is for the purpose of “ethnic cleansing” is unfounded and unacceptable. We once again declare that there are appropriate conditions for transparent, safe and orderly travel in both directions for local Armenian residents of the Karabakh region of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

This statement by the Armenian Foreign Ministry, which has boycotted the peace talks, indicates the intention to use this incident as a pretext to again strike at efforts to resume negotiations.

We recommend that the Armenian side refrain from such provocations, responsibly approach efforts to build relations with Azerbaijan on the basis of such principles as the territorial integrity and sovereignty of countries, take a constructive position, and not impede peace negotiations under various pretexts. At the same time, we call on Armenia to stop its attempts to resort to a smear campaign in the international community, including for this purpose to distort the well-known decision of the International Court of Justice," the ministry noted.

Source: Trend News Agency

We strongly condemn the pre-planned and organised burning of flags of Azerbaijan and Türkiye at the Freedom Square in Yerevan during torchlight procession, Spokesman for the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry Aykhan Hajizade wrote on his Twitter page, Trend reports.

"The Armenian government and Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan must take urgent measures to prevent such hate crimes and xenophobic acts," Hajizade noted.

Source: Trend News Agency

'We strongly reject the Statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia dated April 23, 2023, on the measures taken by Azerbaijan to establish a border checkpoint at the starting point of the Lachin-Khankandi road on the Azerbaijan-Armenia border,' said Azerbaijan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs as it commented on the statement of Armenian Foreign Ministry dated April 23 on the establishment of the border checkpoint by Azerbaijan at the starting point of the Lachin-Khankendi road.

"The statement of the Foreign Ministry of Armenia is another attempt to intervene in the internal affairs of Azerbaijan and is unacceptable. Besides not contributing to peace and stability in the region, such statements by the Armenian side, interfering in the internal affairs of Azerbaijan, lead to increase of tension.

The legitimate decision and step by Azerbaijan to establish a border checkpoint in its sovereign territory is in line with all principles and norms of international law. It is known that as a result of the meetings in Prague and Sochi, to which the Armenian side often refers, Armenia declared its recognition of sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. Deriving from this, Armenia must accept and respect the right of Azerbaijan to ensure control over the entry to and exit from its territory.

The establishment of this checkpoint is a legitimate and national security decision adopted in the situation when following the 44-day Patriotic War of 2020 and contrary to the provisions of the Trilateral Statement, the Armenian side still continues military provocations against Azerbaijan, the road is used for illegal activities, transportation of weapons, ammunition and landmines, as well as the rotation of Armenia's servicemen. At the same time, on April 22, the transfer of two military-purpose container houses and convoy of military vehicles of Armenia to the territory of Azerbaijan and the activities of Armenia to build a military infrastructure at the nearest point to the territory of Azerbaijan at the starting point of the Lachin-Khankandi road, were the factors that led to moving forward with this decision.

Regarding the unfounded claim that Azerbaijan violated the obligations under the Trilateral Statement, we would like to remind the Armenian side that the Armenian leadership, at the highest level, confirmed that this country was not given any function by the Trilateral Statement on the regulation of the traffic on the Lachin road. Against this background, it is illogical and contrary to the stated position that the Foreign Ministry of Armenia, as a party to the Trilateral Statement, calls the step taken by Azerbaijan unacceptable. According to the Trilateral Statement, Azerbaijan has the obligation to guarantee the security of the movement of citizens, vehicles and cargo through the Lachin-Khankandi road. This obligation also includes the prevention of misuse of the Lachin road. Also, the establishment of a border checkpoint at the starting point of the road does not create changes in the traffic regime on the road.

Ensuring the border security, which is beyond the scope of the Trilateral Statement, is a prerogative of the Government of Azerbaijan, and a necessary condition for national security, state sovereignty, and the rule of law.

The absurd claim that the establishment of the border checkpoint is aimed at 'ethnic cleansing' is unfounded and unacceptable. We reiterate that there are appropriate conditions for transparent, safe and orderly passage of local Armenian residents of the Karabakh region of the Republic of Azerbaijan in both directions.

This statement by the Foreign Ministry of Armenia, which has boycotted the peace talks, testifies to its intention to use this event as a pretext to undermine efforts to resume negotiations.

We recommend the Armenian side to abandon such provocations, to take a responsible approach to the efforts establishing relations with Azerbaijan on the basis of the principles such as territorial integrity and sovereignty of both countries, and to take a constructive position instead of hindering peace negotiations under various pretexts. At the same time, we call on Armenia to put an end to its attempts to make the international community an instrument for its smear campaign, as well as to distort the well-known decision of the International Court of Justice for this purpose," the ministry added.

Source: Azerbaijan State News Agency

"Azerbaijan, due to the misuse of the Lachin-Khankandi road by Armenia and resulting in a security threat, has established a border checkpoint on the Azerbaijan-Armenian border,"Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Aykhan Hajizada wrote on Twitter.

"Proper conditions will be ensured for the passage of Armenian residents of the Karabakh region in both directions!" reads the tweet.

Source: Azeri-Press news agency

Deputy head of Russia's Security Council Dmitry Medvedev said on Sunday that Moscow would terminate the Black Sea Grain deal if the Group of Seven countries banned exports to Russia, APA reports citing Teletrader.

Medvedev's statement comes after the Japanese Kyodo news agency claimed last week that the G7 is considering a very broad export ban to Russia in response to its military operation in Ukraine.

As the clashes along the southeastern front continue, Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin admitted last week that China's proposal for halting the conflict could become a baseline for peace negotiations.

In its 12-point proposal, Beijing called for a ceasefire last month in return for the West lifting sanctions against Russia and urged all sides to abandon the Cold War mentality.

Source: Azeri-Press news agency

On April 23, around 3:10 p.m., units of the Armenian armed forces fired from small arms at the positions of Azerbaijani army located in the direction of the Minkend settlement of Lachin district from their positions located in the direction of Kizilcik settlement of Garakilsa district, APA reports citing the Ministry of Defense.

According to the Ministry, adequate response measures were taken by the units of our army in the mentioned direction.

Source: Azeri-Press news agency