For about 2 days, car convoys sent from Armenia to Karabakh under the name of "humanitarian cargo" have been detained at the Lachin border crossing point. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan categorically does not allow the Armenian government to use the Lachin road and only demands the use of the Aghdam-Khankendi road under the control of the country. However, the Armenian side does not come to an agreement and even makes the situation in the region tense by politicizing the West with its baseless accusations.

 

As long as the situation continues like this, can the government of Azerbaijan start anti-terrorist operations against a potential provocation in the region?

 

Matthew Bryza, an international expert, a member of the board of the Jamestown Foundation and the former US ambassador to Azerbaijan, told Ednews that Armenia is politicizing the issue related to the Lachin road because it wants to maintain its position there through provocation:

 

"Now is not the time for anybody to be talking about anti-terrorist operations or renewed military operations.That's what the opponents of a peace agreement would want, especially those in Armenia, because they want to derail the significant progress toward a peace agreement. Because countries that want to be peace partners cannot be expected to take such steps. The recent Brussels meeting shows that a peace deal seems possible.

 

The expert also noted that the accusations of the Armenians are unfounded and also silly:

 

"It is understandable that the Azerbaijani government is sensitive and cautious in this matter. Because at the beginning of the month, the International Committee of the Red Cross was trying to transport unauthorized and unchecked cargo through the Lachin road. Therefore, the Azerbaijani side recommends the use of the Aghdam-Khankendi road so that the same process does not happen. On the other hand, the Armenian side reacts very emotionally to the decision, exaggerating the issue and makin silly statetements under the title "Azerbaijan is trying to commit genocide and ethnic cleansing". They should have understood that if Azerbaijan's goal was ethnic cleansing, it would have done it by continuing the war in November 2020. However, by not doing so, it was possible for Karabakh Armenians to remain citizens of Azerbaijan. Therefore, Armenia's obvious goal is to keep its ties with Karabakh as long as possible, putting into question the issue of resolving the legal status of Karabakh. However, as I mentioned, this is not a solution."

 

Akbar Shabandayev