There must be international presence in Nagorno-Karabakh, says USAID Administrator

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 25, ARMENPRESS. There must be an international presence in Nagorno-Karabakh to assess whether Azerbaijan is implementing its commitments, USAID Administrator Samantha Power said at a press conference in Yerevan.

“We call on Azerbaijan to adhere to the ceasefire and take concrete steps to protect the rights of civilians in Nagorno-Karabakh. President Aliyev has vowed to guarantee the rights of ethnic Armenians, and Azerbaijan must fulfill this promise,” Power said.

The USAID chief said the world must be able to verify and ascertain that Azerbaijan is fulfilling its promise. “All parties must allow an international humanitarian assessment and humanitarian presence to be there, to see whether Azerbaijan is fulfilling its commitments, and for these organizations to be able to report to the international community,” Samantha Power said.

The USAID Administrator emphasized that Azerbaijan must always ensure unimpeded passenger transport, commercial and humanitarian shipments along Lachin Corridor. The promises on protecting the population of NK would be void as long as civilians are unable to freely travel and when food and medical supplies can’t reach the settlements.

“And organizations such as the USAID must have access in order to provide essential humanitarian assistance,” Power said.