Although we have been under a blockade [by Azerbaijan] since December 2022, we have been able to improve our food security level with very few opportunities during that time; that is why we now have a greater degree of resilience, Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) Minister of State Gurgen Nersisyan stated during the consultation held Tuesday.

"There are no reasons to panic. Of course, we will have a sense of shortage regarding this or that type of product, we already have a problem with sugar and [vegetable] oil, we have opportunities planned for critical moments, but we will not resort to their use now. We have a certain satisfactory situation in terms of flour and other essential goods. In case of future problems, we will try to resolve them taking into account our additional internal capabilities," Nersisyan said.

"We have a fuel issue, which we must use when absolutely necessary and sparingly. For this purpose, we have reduced fuel consumption by the state system to the almost zero indicator. We will try to organize the work of public transport and agricultural work," he noted.

"Fuel is provided to individuals mainly for the settlement of issues related to health problems, subjecting each individual case to a separate study. (…). The fuel will be used [in Artsakh] in very extreme cases—according to priorities," said the minister of state of Artsakh.

He noted that in recent days coupons were distributed to the residents of Artsakh to purchase essential goods, and that their delivery would be carried out through humanitarian cargo transportation.

"However, due to the suspension of cargo transportation, we will now have an objective problem of using the vouchers provided," Nersisyan added.