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MP Tigran Abrahamyan of Armenia’s opposition Pativ Unem faction warns that the possible setup of an Azerbaijani checkpoint on the Lachin corridor linking Armenia to Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) would lead to the exodus of Armenians from Artsakh.

He pointed to Azerbaijan’s renewed demands for the opening of the so-called “Zangezur corridor” that would connect Azerbaijan to Nakhichevan after its military aggression against Armenia in mid-September.

The Turkish foreign minister announced recently that the "Zangezur and Lachin corridors must have the same status".

“Azerbaijan and Turkey are effectively threatening to set up an Azerbaijani checkpoint on the Lachin corridor connecting Armenia to Artsakh and take control over it,” Abrahamyan wrote on Facebook on Tuesday.

“Although under the trilateral statement of November 9, 2020, it is under the control of Russian peacekeepers and the placement of Azerbaijani checkpoints are not envisaged, the problem becomes more complicated given that Azerbaijan interprets the statement as it pleases.

“The possible setup of an Azerbaijani checkpoint on the corridor would definitely lead to the exodus of Armenians from Artsakh, because for many people in Artsakh and Armenia passing through the corridor would cause big security threats,” Abrahamyan said.

He claims Azerbaijan seeks both the opening of the “Zangezur corridor” and the setup of a Lachin checkpoint.

“Who would not take advantage of the rule of the current government in Armenia and try to make the most of it?" he wrote.