The next statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia (MFA) on January 3, 2023 regarding the protests on the road to Lachin is completely groundless and aims to create confusion among international partners and artificially escalate the situation.

APA reports that this was stated in the statement of the Press Service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia dated January 3, 2023.

It was noted that it is not surprising that the Armenian MFA issued a distorted statement regarding the protests of a group of civil society representatives of Azerbaijan against the fact of looting of our natural resources during the 30-year occupation of our territories by Armenia.

It seems that the Armenian side is still interested in the continuation of illegal economic and other activities on the territory of Azerbaijan:

"It is well known that the government of Azerbaijan addressed requests to prevent illegal economic activity in the territories of Azerbaijan, where the Russian peacekeeping contingent is temporarily stationed, for more than 1 year, that is, from November 2021, and last time resolved the issue through negotiations on December 3-10 Despite all these efforts, the Armenian side ignored appeals, obstructed the access of the relevant institutions to the territory and tried to continue illegal activities. All these actions caused the rightful protest of the Azerbaijani public and misuse of the Lachin road, which was intended only for humanitarian purposes. A peaceful demonstration is held with the request to prevent the incidents.

Every opinion voiced against these protests is considered as a direct violation of the norms and principles of international law such as the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, disrespect for the Constitution of the country, which contains the provision that all natural resources existing in the territory of Azerbaijan belong to the Republic of Azerbaijan, and the rights of the protestors, and is unacceptable.

At the same time, claims that the protests allegedly resulted in the closure of the Lachin road and created a humanitarian crisis are equally unfounded.

It is an undeniable fact that during the day, vehicles belonging to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the peacekeeping contingent, medical vehicles pass through the road without hindrance.

Also, both the Azerbaijani government and representatives of civil society have declared readiness to promptly resolve all humanitarian needs that Armenian residents may face.

Despite the appeals of the Azerbaijani side to the Armenian residents that the road is open and can be used as intended by the Tripartite Declaration, the fact that the provocateurs, who present themselves as representatives of the Armenian residents living in Karabakh, prevent the population from using the road proves once again that it is precisely such people who created a false impression about the protests and created their own - they aim to continue their legal and dirty deeds.

Regarding the allegations of the violation of the tripartite declaration, we would like to remind you that according to the tripartite declaration signed by the leader of Armenia, the illegal extraction of natural resources from the Lachin road to Armenia, the continuation of the military supply of the Armenian armed forces, which have not yet been fully withdrawn from Azerbaijan, and the transfer and placement of mines to the territory of Azerbaijan increasing the threat, illegal crossing of third country citizens, etc.

it is well known to the Armenian side that it is not intended for such illegal activities and that all these actions are a gross violation of the Tripartite Declaration.

Despite the manipulation campaign of the Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the meeting of the UN Security Council (SC) on December 20, 2022, almost all UNSC member states are committed to the fulfillment of obligations under the Tripartite Declaration, as well as mutual recognition and respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity. it is clear that they have called for the implementation of the agreement, thereby confirming Azerbaijan's position, and not showing support for Armenia's provocations.

Armenia's calls to send any mission to the territory of Azerbaijan are considered as another provocation against Azerbaijan's sovereignty and territorial integrity and should be stopped.

Accusing Azerbaijan of deportation and ethnic cleansing by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia is not only absurd, but also an attempt to cover up the systematic and consistent policy of ethnic cleansing committed by Armenians against Azerbaijanis in Armenia and Azerbaijan in the 20th century.

Since 1987, when the territorial claims against Azerbaijan arose again, the deportation and ethnic cleansing of nearly 1 million Azerbaijanis, and the massacres committed by Armenia against Azerbaijanis is a historical fact.

At the same time, it is worth reminding that even during the 44-day Patriotic War, the number of Azerbaijani civilians who died in areas far from the war zone was many times higher than the alleged number of Armenian civilians who died.

Azerbaijan once again calls on Armenia to comply with its obligations arising from international law and the Tripartite Declaration, to refrain from activities directed against Azerbaijan's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and to stop aggressive political and military provocations.

"Azerbaijan's position on regional peace, stability and development is principled and consistent, measures based on international law and established international experience will be continued."