Artsakh has sufficient reserves of fuel and food - Artsakh Ministry of Finance and Economy

YEREVAN, December 14. /ARKA/. Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) has sufficient reserves of fuel and food, Artsakh Ministry of Finance and Economy said.

"Taking into account Azerbaijan's provocative actions and challenges related to food self-sufficiency, our relevant government agencies have been dealing with food security issues and controlling the process of food supply. The authorized state bodies coordinate the related efforts so that companies observe social responsibility and there is no unreasonable rise in prices," the ministry said.

The Republic of Artsakh has appeared  in a de facto blockade, with the rights of thousands of its citizens being violated after Azerbaijanis blocked the Stepanakert-Goris interstate highway, the only road linking Artsakh with Armenia.

The road has been closed for the third day already. On the evening of December 13 Azerbaijan also discontinued the supply of natural gas to Artsakh closing the valve on the pipeline that pumps natural gas to Artsakh from Armenia.

'The closure of the Lachin corridor has severe humanitarian implications. It sets back the peace process. We call on the Government of Azerbaijan to restore free movement through the corridor. The way forward is through negotiations,'  Ned Price, spokesman for the U.S. State Department said this during a briefing on Tuesday.

'I want to be especially clear that any disruption – and we’ve seen reports of disruption to energy infrastructure – any disruption to energy infrastructure could precipitate a humanitarian crisis, especially as we’re entering the winter months. If deliberate, it’s unacceptable to target the civilian population of Nagorno-Karabakh,' he added.-0-