Armenia expects borders open by 2030

PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenia expects its borders and transport connections with Turkey and Azerbaijan to be open by 2030, Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Vahan Kostanyan said in Brussels.

He noted that this is the Armenian side’s vision, Sputnik Armenia reported, citing the Azerbaijani news agency Report.

“Our vision is that by 2030 we will have open communications and open borders with our two neighbors, Turkey and Azerbaijan, with whom, unfortunately, the borders remain closed,” Kostanyan said.

Kostanyan added that he does not rule out the possibility of transport links opening earlier, as Yerevan continues work on regional transportation projects and has observed signals of greater openness from neighboring countries.

According to the deputy minister, Armenia is also cooperating with the European Union on the modernization of transport infrastructure, including the construction of new border checkpoints and the development of highways, with the aim of increasing future transit cargo volumes.

Kostanyan said that instability along traditional trade routes and disruptions in global logistics chains have increased the importance of the Middle Corridor and created new opportunities for countries in the region.

According to him, the development of transport connectivity has not only contributed to growth in trade turnover but has also strengthened stability in the South Caucasus by expanding economic interdependence among regional states. He stated that Armenia aims to ensure the unhindered movement of cargo through its section of the Middle Corridor.

Vahan Kostanyan took part in the high-level launch event of the European Union’s Connectivity Agenda Platform. Delegations from Turkey, Ukraine, Moldova, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan, as well as representatives of international financial institutions and the European Commission, also attended.