"Package" for unblocking Caucasus communications being "polished"

PanARMENIAN.Net - Unblocking all economic and transport ties in the South Caucasus is one of the most important directions in the normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko said on Sunday, January 2.

“In essence, we are talking about an opportunity for both countries to derive concrete practical benefits from peaceful coexistence. Russia is a direct participant in this process," Rudenko said, TASS reports.

He recalled that at the summit in Moscow on January 11, 2021, the leaders of Armenia, Russia and Azerbaijan agreed to create a Trilateral Working Group under the joint chairmanship of the Deputy Prime Ministers of the three countries.

“Within this mechanism, important preparatory work has been done to restore both rail and road communications in the region. Currently, a single package is being "polished". This approach will ensure the sustainability of the decisions made," Rudenko noted.

The Deputy PMs of Armenia, Russia and Azerbaijan first meet in person on January 30 in Moscow to discuss new transport communications that would link Armenia, Russia and Azerbaijan. New rail and road routes in the South Caucasus are expected to connect the Azerbaijani Autonomous Republic of Nakhichevan with the rest of the country, for which a road will be built through the territory of Armenia. There will also be road and rail routes through the territory of Azerbaijan to connect Armenia to Russia.