Despite all efforts of Armenia the situation in the region remains fragile and tense, and a new escalation is possible, said Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan at a press conference with Croatian Foreign Minister Gordan Grlic Radman.

Mirzoyan said that the challenges caused by Azerbaijani aggression against Artsakh and Armenia in 2020, aggression against Armenia in May and November 2021 and September 2022 not only minimize Armenian efforts aimed at establishing peace and stability, but also threaten Armenian democracy.

The Minister recalled that it had been two months since Azerbaijan had been blocking the Lachin corridor in gross violation of its commitments under the Trilateral Agreement and IHL norms.

The Minister added that the worsening crisis could turn into a catastrophe and the calls had no effect on Azerbaijan's behavior. In this regard, Mirzoyan noted the need for action and international mechanisms to stop the blockade and ethnic cleansing and prevent future aggression. The Minister noted the need to send an international fact-finding team to the Lachin corridor, and also noted the importance of the work of the EU monitoring group.

As Mirzoyan stressed, the use of force or the threat of force, mass violations of human rights cannot create a basis for peace and stability. Armenia has repeatedly declared its readiness for a constructive dialogue for the sake of peace in the South Caucasus. There is no alternative to a peace settlement, Mirzoyan concluded.