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United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres reiterates his calls to de-escalate tensions and ensure freedom and security of movement along the Lachin corridor, his spokesperson said.

“The Secretary-General underlined his concerns over the current situation in his statement on 14 December 2022. These concerns were reiterated by the Secretariat during the Emergency Security Council session requested by Armenia on 20 December 2022. The Secretary-General reiterates his calls to de-escalate tensions and ensure freedom and security of movement along the corridor, in line with the previously reached agreements and expresses his support to the ongoing mediation efforts. The UN Country Teams in Armenia and Azerbaijan continue to maintain open channels with the authorities and international partners on the ground, and stand ready to respond if requested and as conditions allow,” Spokesman for the Secretary-General Stéphane Dujarric told ARMENPRESS when asked to comment on the ongoing Azerbaijani blockade of the Lachin corridor.

The Lachin corridor has been blocked by Azerbaijan since 12 December 2022. The corridor is the only travel and supply route for the 120,000 Armenians of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh). The blockade has caused a humanitarian crisis. Shortages of essential products such as food and medicine prompted Nagorno-Karabakh authorities to introduce rationing. Hospitals are keeping planned surgeries on hold. 1,100 residents of Nagorno-Karabakh, including 270 children, who were in Armenia when the road was blocked are unable to return to their homes.