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The Armenian parliament started hearings on an opposition-drafted resolution condemning Azerbaijan’s ongoing blockade of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) on Friday morning.

The resolution has been put forward by the largest opposition Hayastan faction in the parliament.

"Dear compatriots, we are holding these hearings in a rather difficult military and political situation," Hayastan leader Seyran Ohanyan said, addressing lawmakers.

He recalled that the pro-government majority in the National Assembly rejected a similar opposition resolution on December 14, citing its contradiction to the Armenian government’s policy on the conflict with Azerbaijan.

Ohanyan highlighted that the geopolitical and regional developments strongly affect Armenia and Artsakh.

"We have found ourselves at the center of a conflict of interests. It’s not only about the actions of the power centers, but also the policy pursued by the Armenian authorities, which is tightening the noose around the Republics of Armenia and Artsakh," the opposition leader said.

He proposed MPs to focus on the humanitarian crisis and security challenges resulting from the blockade of the Lachin corridor and possible ways to handle them during the hearings, which will also address the current state of the Artsakh issue, the Artsakh people’s right to self-determination amid the blockade, the peace process and the need to continue it.

Ohanyan also proposed to discuss the military and political developments around Armenia and Artsakh and the ways to deal with them.