Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov has told U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Karen Donfried that the “legitimate demands” of self-described Azerbaijani environmentalists blocking a key Nagorno Karabakh corridor have not yet been met.

Since December 12, the sole road connecting Nagorno Karabakh to Armenia - the Lachin Corridor - has been blocked by self-described Azerbaijani environmentalists. Karabakh residents have reported food and fuel shortages, while hospital patients don't have access to essential medicines, with only a handful allowed transfer to facilities in Armenia proper.

Bayramov claimed that allegations of an intense humanitarian situation in the region are “groundless,” Interfax.az reports.

The two discussed the current situation in the South Caucasus region and the prospects for negotiations on a peace treaty between Azerbaijan and Armenia.