Newsletter of the Artsakh Government – Day 83 Under Blockade

Azerbaijan violates ceasefire using small arms

On March 2 and on the night of 2 to 3, units of the Azerbaijani armed forces, located in the occupied territories of the Askeran, Martakert and Martuni regions of the Republic of Artsakh, violated the ceasefire by using small arms. There were no casualties on the Armenian side. The ceasefire violation was reported to the command of the Russian peacekeeping contingent.

Artsakh MFA issues a comment on violation of ceasefire by Azerbaijan

We strongly condemn the provocations of the Azerbaijani side, which were carried out immediately after another meeting of representatives of the Republic of Artsakh and the Azerbaijani Republic, mediated by the Commander of the Russian Peacekeeping Contingent

In the context of the need to immediately lift the illegal blockade of Artsakh, discussions were held between the parties regarding humanitarian and infrastructural issues. However, Azerbaijan’s actions clearly indicate its unwillingness to unconditionally implement its commitments related to the unblocking of the Lachin Corridor, including those stemming from the Order of the International Court of Justice

In this regard, we consider it necessary for the international community to continue taking practical measures to put pressure on Azerbaijan in order to curb its destructive actions and intentions aimed at resolving issues by force.

Security Council issues a statement regarding the meeting of representatives of Artsakh and Azerbaijan on March 1

The statement notes in particular that on March 1, a meeting of representatives of Artsakh and Azerbaijan was held at the headquarters of the Russian Peacekeeping Contingent, with the participation of Commander, Major General Andrey Volkov, to discuss urgent humanitarian issues.

Shortly after the meeting, the head of the Azerbaijani delegation appeared in interviews on the country’s news platforms, in which he spread disinformation fully deviating from the original content and the process of the meeting. In particular, he stated that the meeting participants discussed “issues of reintegration of the Armenian population of the Karabakh region into Azerbaijan”. 

Unfortunately, this falsification of the Azerbaijani officials and media was also used by some representatives of the Armenian media, thereby creating a false impression that issues related to the comprehensive settlement of the conflict are allegedly being discussed during Artsakh-Azerbaijan contacts.

In addition, another line of disinformation from Azerbaijan that the next meeting of the official representatives of the parties “may take place in Ganja or Aghdam”, without the participation of the Russian Peacekeeping Contingent, is also not true.

Negotiations can take place only in an internationally recognized format: President of Artsakh receives members of the Union of Reserve Officers

President Arayik Harutyunyan noted that during all the meetings held so far with representatives of Azerbaijan, including on March 1, only technical, humanitarian and infrastructural issues were discussed. “Negotiations on the status of Artsakh can only take place in an internationally recognized format and through the realization of the right of the people of Artsakh to self-determination,” the President said.

President Arayik Harutyunyan welcomes statement by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz

“We welcome the statement by Olaf Scholz that the conflict should be settled peacefully, based on the equal principles of territorial integrity and the right to self-determination of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh. A settlement is impossible without fully taking into account our fundamental and collective rights,” President Arayik Harutyunyan wrote on his Twitter page.

International Committee of the Red Cross transports 9 patients to Armenia

In addition, seven patients sent to Armenia for medical treatment returned to Artsakh with their caregivers.

The transfer of patients from Artsakh to Armenia continues to be carried out exclusively with the mediation and escort of the International Committee of the Red Cross.

As of March 3, a total of 144 patients were transferred from Artsakh to Armenia by the International Committee of the Red Cross.

State Minister meets with a group of Artsakh businessmen

Situations created as a result of the blockade, as well as assistance programs to mitigate the economic and social consequences of the blockade were discussed during the meeting.

Tax revenues and state duties decrease due to the blockade

According to the Artsakh State Revenue Committee, in January-February 2023, 4,023.9 million AMD of tax revenues and fees were transferred to the state budget of the Republic of Artsakh, which is 24.1 percent less than the planned indicator of 5,300.0 million AMD, and 18.6 percent compared to the same period of the previous year.

The underperformance is caused by the situation in the economy created by the blockade of the Republic of Artsakh by Azerbaijan since December 12, 2022. In particular due to the suspension of operations of a number of taxpayers who had no sales turnover and accordingly did not pay taxes to the budget.

Update of daily statistics

9 adult patients are in the intensive care unit, 2 of whom are in critical condition.

318 children have been born under the blockade.

About 770 people have been deprived of the opportunity to receive necessary medical treatment due to suspension of planned surgeries in all medical facilities of Artsakh.

As of today, 144 patients have been transferred from Artsakh to Armenia to receive appropriate medical care with the mediation and accompaniment of the International Committee of the Red Cross.

755 business entities (17.7% of the total) have suspended their activities due to the impossible operating conditions under the blockade, while the remaining operate partially or with state support.

At least 5,100 people have lost jobs and sources of income as a result of the impact on the economy.

More than 32,400 tons of vital supplies, which would have been delivered during the period of the blockade, have not reached Artsakh. Only a meager amount has since been delivered by the ICRC and the Russian peacekeeping forces.

Key facts

Since the beginning of the blockade, many countries and international organizations have condemned Azerbaijan’s actions and called for the lifting of the blockade. The issue was also discussed in the UN Security Council. The European Court of Human Rights obliged Azerbaijan to take all necessary and sufficient measures to end the blockade. The UN’s International Court of Justice (The Hague) discussed the issue within the proceedings of the Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and ordered Azerbaijan to ensure unimpeded movement through the Lachin Corridor. The European Parliament adopted a resolution on the humanitarian consequences of the blockade of Artsakh

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