patients svetlana they have to have patience. She asks him that he can’t do more, that he is sorry, will write this. medicine, he, but he cannot, it is impossible because they are not coming and he does not know when they will go. It rheumatologist has several options: “In rheumatology, medicines What we give is very special and we no longer have it. All I do is advise my patients to do it physical exercise. “I suggest you stay active, don’t get stressed, be patient, and only then can we get through this.” Svetlana Harutyunyanresident of the ‘de facto’ capital city of Stepanakert Republic of Upper KarabakhA state located in internationally recognized territory like Azerbaijan, unrecognized by any other country in the world.
The situation is complex these days. On December 12, the so-called activists climate change Azeris are banned the only way -protected by russian soldiers– connecting Upper Karabakh Armenia and the world. Since then nothing goes in or out Stepanakert and neighboring towns. Only an ambulance with a critical illness can leave. Other than that, there is nothing else: no medicine or food.
“We’re running out of reserves. People these days looking for food, medicine… and I think the emergency is coming. In pharmacies, the situation is critical because there are hardly any medicines; it just stays analgesics. Food stocks seem adequate for now, but we don’t know how many days we can hold out,” complains Svetlana. Stepanakerton the other side of the phone.
Also, in the first days of the blockade, Azerbaijan cut off the waters. pipe Line Although it comes from Armenia, it feeds the region passing through the territory under its control. Baku. This outage lasted for several days and now the service has been restored. “The closure of this corridor has many humanitarian implications and delays the peace process. We call on the Government of Azerbaijan to restore free movement in the corridor. The only way to continue talks“Last week a spokesperson said Ministry of Foreign Affairs from United States of America, what price.
A stalled peace process
The history of this region, Upper Karabakh, dates back to ancient times. during the liquidation USSRArmenia and Azerbaijan declared war for control of this region, which is a region. black forest at the top of the mountains. that first war from 1991 to 1994It was won by Armenia, which established a ‘de facto’ Republic in the region and expelled the Azeris who, like Armenians, had lived here for centuries.
From then on the conflict froze. Until September 2020, when Azerbaijan started second karabakh war. Bakuwith an army far superior to the Armenians, thanks to his money. Oil and with Turkey’s help, he defeated the Armenians after a bloody battle that killed more than 6,000 people in six weeks. Karabakh has been reduced to a minimal expression. isolated from the world. It became the only way in and out lachin corridorIt is guarded by Russian soldiers.
This is the road closed by Azerbaijan in December. “Now 100,000 people in Stepanakert are waiting for us. salvaged food and share with those who no longer have. there is a lot tension and stress, But what shall we do? We’re blocked, nothing else. The only solution is to wait and see if it will reopen,” says Svetlana, who has resigned.
since the end second karabakh warIn December 2020, both sides tried to sit down to negotiate several times. Mediation by Russia, Europe and Washington. Neither attempt bore fruit.
“The problem with the Armenian side is that they always delay progress – said recently Farid Shafiev, former Azerbaijani diplomat. Now they want to postpone the signing of the peace agreement until next year. It is not in our interest and we use present moment“. Officially, however, Baku He claims it has nothing to do with the blocking. lachin runner.
“Every day we are a little more helpless,” Svetlana says. “Our will is strong and we want to resist. But every time I think I’ve left a part of me my familyI don’t know when I can see my brother who is at home. YerevanI’m breaking… this uncertainty makes the situation very difficult.”