Response of Head of the Department of Information and Public Relations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh Republic) Artak Nersisyan to a question from Artsakhpress news agency:

Question: How would you interpret the news that was recently posted on social networks and in the media according to which foreign citizens have had problems with entry into the Republic of Artsakh and the news that Russian peacekeepers are creating obstacles, saying that there is no permission from Azerbaijan?

Answer: The hardships that citizens of foreign countries recently faced while entering the Republic of Artsakh are due to the imperative for increasing security in the Azerbaijan-Karabakh conflict zone. The system of ensuring entry is being introduced through cooperation with the peacekeeping forces of the Russian Federation. At the same time, it is necessary to mention that the inconveniences with regard to entry will be temporary, and this is also assured by the command of the Russian peacekeeping forces.

As far as permission for entry is concerned, the procedure is clear and hasn’t undergone any changes. To enter the territory of the Republic of Artsakh, foreigners apply to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Artsakh and obtain visas at the Permanent Representation of the Republic of Artsakh in Yerevan in advance (there is no other procedure). Information on the visa applications is also transmitted to the Russian peacekeeping forces. The specified procedure does not imply request for consent or transfer of data to a third country.”