Karabakh residents treat security guarantees for Berdzor townspeople as insufficient

The city of Berdzor has enough jobs that had existed before the transfer of the Lachin Corridor under the control of Russian peacemakers, but for townspeople to return, security guarantees are needed. The exodus of Armenians from Berdzor increases the risks of travelling along the Lachin Corridor, residents of Stepanakert have noted.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on November 10, the agreement came into force to end the fighting that had been going on in Nagorno-Karabakh since September 27. Azerbaijan not only kept the positions taken during the escalation of the conflict, but also insisted on transferring a number of other territories under its control. In general, Nagorno-Karabakh lost two-thirds of the territory it controlled until September 27.

According to Mger Mazmanyan, a resident of Berdzor (the Azerbaijani name is Lachin), there are rumours among local residents that Azerbaijani militaries are travelling without peacemakers' accompaniment, but he personally did not see Azerbaijanis in the city.

Mr Mazmanyan believes that security guarantees are needed to restore the old life in the city; and the city status should be defined. "There were almost no unemployed in the city; people worked in the state-funded sector – from administration to school and kindergarten," he has noted.

Ashkhen Stepanyan, a woman from Berdzor, told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent that she was afraid to return because of insufficient security guarantees.

"In particular, I have a record showing how an Azerbaijani car, unaccompanied by peacemakers, drives across the city. Who can guarantee that meeting it is safe?" she has asked.

If there is an opportunity to return to Berdzor, there is no need to open new jobs, it is enough to restart those that were before the transfer of the Lachin Corridor under the control of Russian peacemakers, Ms Stepanyan is sure.

The Armenian presence in the Lachin Corridor will make one feel much safer in Stepanakert, Asmik Arushanyan, a woman from the capital of Nagorno-Karabakh, told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent. "Driving along the Lachin Corridor, knowing that Armenians are living there is much safer than if there are Azerbaijanis. Stepanakert also has no status. But we are back still," she said.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on December 10, 2020 at 03:06 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.