Armenian parliament speaker believes U.S. can help resolve Lachin corridor situation

YEREVAN. Feb 27 (Interfax) - The United States can play an important role in implementing the International Court of Justice's ruling, which compels Azerbaijan to ensure unhampered transit through the Lachin corridor connecting Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia, Armenian Parliament Speaker Alen Simonyan said.

"While meeting with U.S. Ambassador to Armenia Kristina Kvien, Simonyan discussed the situation in Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh created by the Azerbaijani aggression and expressed concern about the humanitarian catastrophe in Nagorno-Karabakh. Simonyan noted that the International Court of Justice's ruling is an important step towards settling the crisis. He also said that the United States can play a decisive, weighty role in the implementation of the court ruling," the Armenian parliament's press service said.

"The sides exchanged views on the need for increasing pressure of the international community on Azerbaijan, including the possibility of sanctions," it said.

"Alen Simonyan told the U.S. ambassador that Armenia does not have territorial claims to its neighbors, it has chosen the path of democracy, and stays committed to the agenda of peace," the press service said.

"The United States has a key place in the political and economic life of Armenia, while the Armenian-U.S. dialogue is strategic," Simonyan said.

The International Court of Justice compelled Azerbaijan last week to ensure unhampered transit through the Lachin corridor.