Previous reports
On December 20, CSTO Secretary General Stanislav Zas announced that the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) proceeds from the fact that the solution to the issue with the Lachin corridor, which Armenia raised at the international level, is beyond its area of responsibility. "There were no such appeals [to Armenia regarding unblocking the Lachin corridor]. We proceed from the fact that this is beyond the area of responsibility of the CSTO," Stanislav Zas stated.
On December 21, Cahit Bağcı, the Ambassador of Turkey to Azerbaijan, personally visited the Lachin corridor, stating on Twitter, "Karabakh is Azerbaijan."
Conversation between Macron and Aliyev
On December 23, Emmanuel Macron, the President of the French Republic, made a phone call to Ilham Aliyev, the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
"During the phone conversation, Emmanuel Macron touched upon relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan, as well as the situation on the road leading to the city of Khankendi [Stepanakert in Armenian] through the Lachin district of Azerbaijan," the report added.
"Regarding the situation on the road leading to the city of Khankendi through the Lachin district of Azerbaijan, the head of state noted that representatives of the civil society of Azerbaijan protest against the illegal exploitation of mineral deposits in the country's territories, where the Russian peacekeepers are temporarily deployed, and serious damage to the environment as a result of this exploitation," the information stated.
President Ilham Aliyev emphasized that there is no obstacle to the residents living in Azerbaijani territories, where the Russian peacekeepers are temporarily deployed, to use this road for civil and humanitarian purposes and that the passage of medical vehicles is ensured through the local office of the International Committee of the Red Cross without the need for other institutions.
During the conversation, President Ilham Aliyev also noted that Armenia still occupies eight villages belonging to Azerbaijan.
Regarding the importance of balanced and impartial behavior about regional issues, President Ilham Aliyev underlined that anti-Azerbaijan activities in Francophonie and some other international organizations are regrettable.
Emmanuel Macron said France is ready to support the normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan and the continuation of negotiations on a peace treaty.
Telephone conversation between Putin and Aliyev
On December 24, Vladimir Putin, the President of the Russian Federation, made a phone call to Ilham Aliyev, the Press Office of the Azerbaijani President reported.
During the conversation, the presidents discussed the practical implementation of trilateral agreements between the leaders of Russia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia, particularly those about ensuring security on the Azerbaijan-Armenia border.
New developments
On December 23, Azerbaijan carried out planned small-scale live-fire drills at an unspecified location using an Israel-developed Lynx MLRS system with what appears to be Serbia-produced G-2000 122 mm rockets.
On the same day, Armen Grigoryan, the Secretary of the Armenian Security Council, stated, "The executive and legislative authorities of the Republic of Armenia are doing extensive work together with all partners so that the Lachin Corridor is opened as soon as possible and the function of the corridor returns to its previous status, that is, the transportation of goods and people takes place calmly, without any control."
On December 24, a crowd of local Armenians marched from Stepanakert/Khankendi in Karabakh to the Russian peacekeeping checkpoint on the Lachin Corridor, calling for the road reopening. Furthermore, they spoke with the 2nd in command of the Russia peacekeeping contingent, who stated the road would be opened on December 26.
Also, on the same day, Russian Peacekeeping forces removed their tents and containers from the current standoff location on the Lachin corridor after the call between Ilham Aliyev and Vladimir Putin.
