The U.S. Department of State is unable to clearly explain the reasons why almost half of the funds intended for Nagorno-Karabakh is being held back, ANCA Spokeswoman Elizabeth Chuljian told NEWS.am.

The U.S. Department of State claims Nagorno-Karabakh does not need the funds. However, what is the reason, she asked. According to Chuljian, it is the result of the work by Azeri lobby, which is doing its best to block U.S. aid to Nagorno-Karabakh. “We know the funds are of vital importance for Nagorno-Karabakh,” she said.

ANCA demands that the U.S. Department of State honor the U.S. Congress resolution. ANCA is cooperating with the U.S. Congress to resolve the issue. As to the possibility of a favorable outcome, Chuljian said that it is not a matter of days, but it is possible.

ANCA conducted an investigation which showed that since 1998 Nagorno-Karabakh has received U.S. $25m less than the U.S. Congress had planned to allocate. According to ANCA, less than U.S. $36m of the Congress-planned U.S. $61m has actually been allocated. About U.S. $12m of the U.S. 25m deficit have accumulated due to the Obama administration not spending the funds during its first two years.