The gas supply is not uninterrupted and the high-voltage line has not been repaired: The fate of Russian-brokered agreements

Since December 12, 2022, Azerbaijan has blocked the Lachin Corridor connecting Nagorno Karabakh to Armenia and has disrupted natural gas supply to Nagorno Karabakh more than ten times. From January 9, 2023, Azerbaijan also disrupted the operation of the only high-voltage power line from Armenia to Nagorno Karabakh, which led to an energy crisis in Nagorno Karabakh.

The issues of uninterrupted gas supply and power line restoration were discussed between the representatives of Stepanakert and Baku during two meetings held in the recent month, which were preceded by the resignation of State Minister of Nagorno Karabakh Ruben Vardanyan.

Both meetings were held with the mediation and participation of the command of the Russian peacekeeping force stationed in Nagorno Karabakh.

The first meeting between the representatives of Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan took place on February 24. The Office of the President of Nagorno Karabakh informed RFE/RL’s Armenian Service that “issues related to lifting the blockade of Nagorno Karabakh, stable and uninterrupted supply of natural gas and electricity” were discussed at the meeting held through the mediation of peacekeepers”.

In particular, according to the Nagorno Karabakh side, an agreement was reached regarding ensuring uninterrupted operation of the Armenia-Nagorno Karabakh gas pipeline and the repair of the only high-voltage overhead line Shinuhair-Stepanakert (110 kV) and restoration of power supply.

The second meeting during blockade took place on March 1. The spokesperson of the president of Nagorno Karabakh told “Artsakhpress” that the issues of restoration of electricity supply from Armenia to Nagorno Karabakh and uninterrupted supply of natural gas were also discussed at that meeting.

However, even a month later agreements reached through Russian mediation have not been implemented. The Azerbaijanis have not allowed the Nagorno Karabakh side to repair the only high-voltage overhead line supplying electricity from Armenia.

Moreover, on March 10 and 22, the Information Center of Nagorno Karabakh reported that Azerbaijan disrupted gas supply to Nagorno Karabakh again. The gas supply has not been restored yet.

Read also: Fulfilled and unfulfilled provisions of the trilateral statement

Nane Manasyan