EU calls on Azerbaijan to ensure resumption of gas supply to Artsakh

ArmInfo. The European Union is concerned about reports of a renewed disruption of the gas supply to Stepanakert/Khankendi,  the statement of the EU  Spokesperson reads,  the EU Delegation to Armenia reports.  "Following the first  disruption of the supply on 8 March the EU encouraged Azerbaijan's  active engagement on the matter, which led to repair works and the  resumption of the gas supply on 19 March. 

There is an urgent need to ensure the immediate resumption of the gas  supply to the affected local population, in particular in the context  of the dire weather conditions, and the EU calls on the authorities  in control to allow this to happen. 

The European Union is closely following this and other developments  in the region and will continue its engagement towards sustainable  peace and stability for the South Caucasus."

It should be noted that since March 21, the population of Artsakh has  been deprived of gas again. " As a result of the direct intervention  of the Azerbaijani side, the gas supply to the Artsakh Republic was  again disrupted. We have sufficient grounds to claim that during the  repair works of the gas pipeline exploded on March 8, the Azerbaijani  side installed a valve, through which it disrupted the gas supply  hours ago.  Azerbaijan uses the unfavorable weather conditions to  create additional humanitarian problems for our population and makes  a criminal action.  The command of the Russian peacekeeping force  stationed in Artsakh was immediately informed about the situation,  together with which the Artsakh authorities are making appropriate  efforts to restore gas supply.  At the same time, we urge citizens to  use electricity as sparingly as possible to avoid possible power  outages," the Artsakh Information Headquarters said in a statement.   The situation has not yet been resolved. More than 100,000 people  freeze in their homes in Artsakh amid the inaction of the  international community.