Michel: Armenia, Azerbaijan move closer to reopening railway links

PanARMENIAN.Net - President of the European Council Charles Michel has said that Armenia and Azerbaijan's positions have come "very close to each other" on the reopening of the railway connections to and via Nakhijevan.

Michel made the remarks at a press conference, following the trilateral meeting with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan of Armenia and President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan.

"On connectivity, the sides made clear progress in their discussions aimed at unblocking transport and economic links in the region," Michel said.

"Positions on this topic have now come very close to each other in particular on the reopening of the railway connections to and via Nakhchivan.

Mochel said the respective teams of the two countries have been tasked to finalize an in principle agreement on the modalities for the opening of the railway connections and the necessary construction works together with a concrete timetable.

Pashinyan and Aliyev also agreed to draw upon the support of the World Customs Organization in supporting this work.

Michel also said that Armenia recognizes the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan with an area of 86,600 km2 - which also includes Nagorno Karabakh. According to him, Azerbaijan too recognizes the territorial integrity of Armenia.