France and the United States have demanded the "immediate" reopening of the key Lachin Corridor to the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region, the French Foreign Ministry said on February 10. Since mid-December, a group of Azerbaijanis has been blocking the only road into Karabakh from Armenia to protest what they claim is illegal mining causing environmental damage. As a result, the mountainous region of some 120,000 people has been running short of food, medicines, and fuel.
France, U.S. Urge 'Immediate' End To Karabakh Blockade
Azerbaijanis protest what they claim is illegal mining at the Lachin Corridor, the Armenian-populated breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region's only land link with Armenia.