The European Union (EU) has expressed concern over the cessation—yet again—of natural gas supply to Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh).

“The EU concerned about renewed cuts of gas supply to [Artsakh capital] Stepanakert/Khankendi. It is urgently needed to resume supplies to affected local population. The EU calls on authorities in control to enable it, especially in the current harsh weather,” Peter Stano, Lead Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of the EU European Commission, wrote this on Twitter.

Earlier, Armenian News-NEWS.am reported that the supply of natural gas to Artsakh was stopped on March 8, when the natural gas pipeline coming from Armenia was damaged in the area under the control of the Azerbaijani armed forces.

The Azerbaijani side was creating obstacles for nine days to repairing this damaged natural gas pipeline. And finally on March 16, according to the Artsakh Info Center, thanks to negotiations with the assistance of the Armenian government and Russian peacekeepers, the Azerbaijani side began repairing this natural gas pipeline, and the repair was completed on March 19.

On Monday, however, the Artsakh Info Center informed that the natural gas supply to Artsakh was stopped again—and due to the direct interference of the Azerbaijani side. Artsakh stated that they have sufficient grounds to assert that during the aforesaid repair of this natural gas pipeline, the Azerbaijani side had installed a valve through which it has now stopped the natural gas supply to Artsakh.