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Armenian opposition MP Tigran Abrahamyan has reacted to claims that the resignation of Artsakh’s State Minister Ruben Vardanyan could pave the way for Azerbaijan to lift the blockade of the Lachin corridor connecting Artsakh to Armenia and the outside world.

“Is the resignation of Ruben Vardanyan Azerbaijan’s only demand and will all the pending and emerging problems be solved if he goes away?” the deputy, who represents the opposition Pativ Unem faction, wrote on Facebook on Tuesday.

“I would like to remind you that following the closure of the corridor Azerbaijan demanded the suspension of the Kashen mine operations and the setup of an Azeri checkpoint on the corridor for control over cargo shipments between Armenia and Artsakh to reopen the lifeline road,” he recalled.

Azerbaijan also demands the withdrawal of heavy equipment from Artsakh, which has been carried out in several stages after the 2020 war, Abrahamyan added.

“Thus, Azerbaijan has laid out 4-5 demands, supposedly including the state minister’s resignation, for the possible reopening of the corridor,” he stated.

“Does anyone have any guarantees that the corridor will reopen even after these demands are met? No. Does anyone have any guarantees that even if the Azerbaijani demands are met and the corridor opens, the same problem will not arise in 1-2 months, or, for example, there will be no more problems with gas or electricity supply? Absolutely not!” the MP stressed.