PM: Azerbaijan must approve prepared transport link openings

PanARMENIAN.Net - Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan published an article on Armenpress news agency website discussing transport routes between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

He stated that Azerbaijan frequently politicizes the issue, accusing Armenia of failing to fulfill agreements. However, he emphasized that both sides are obligated to open transport and economic connections, and currently, Azerbaijan has not opened any roads, railways, pipelines, power lines, or communication cables that would allow Armenian transport or transit.

Pashinyan highlighted that Armenia's roads are open to Azerbaijani transport, and that regional connectivity is already prepared, requiring only Baku’s approval for implementation.

The Prime Minister recalled that in 2022, the Armenian government proposed opening three border checkpoints along the Armenia-Azerbaijan border. This would allow Azerbaijani trucks and passenger vehicles to transit through Armenia to Nakhichevan or Turkey, but Azerbaijan rejected the proposal.

“These decisions were not implemented solely due to Azerbaijan’s refusal. The Armenian government could finalize them within a week or two. While infrastructure for entry into Nakhichevan is not yet in place and must be built, this can be done swiftly.

Right now, in terms of physical infrastructure, Azerbaijani freight transport could use the Lachin-Kornidzor route to enter Armenia via the Kornidzor checkpoint, travel through Armenia, and reach Turkey via the Margara crossing. The same route could work in reverse. The physical infrastructure for this transit is already in place, awaiting only a legal decision. If Azerbaijan and Turkey are interested, we are ready to make that decision.

We will ensure transport security. If Azerbaijani drivers or trucks face psychological difficulties, Turkish trucks—already actively operating in Armenia—can facilitate the transport. Other international freight carriers could also be used.

However, let me officially state that Armenia has never, in writing or verbally, undertaken, agreed to, or even hinted at delegating security responsibilities—including for international or Azerbaijani transport—to any other country. This has never happened and does not exist. On the contrary, Armenia has committed to guaranteeing safe passage, and we are ready to fulfill this obligation.

Armenia has never accepted or suggested any limitation on its sovereignty, jurisdiction, or territorial integrity, including in discussions on a connection from western Azerbaijan to Nakhichevan through Armenian territory,” the article states.

Pashinyan stressed that Armenia has never obstructed this connectivity and has always been flexible and creative in addressing the issue.

He reminded that in 2022, to address Azerbaijani concerns, Armenia proposed that border and customs control be handled by an international specialized organization. However, Azerbaijan rejected this option.

Now, given Azerbaijan's claims that its citizens are reluctant to pass through Armenian customs, Pashinyan suggested starting with railway freight transport along the Zangilan-Meghri-Ordubad and Yeraskh-Ordubad-Meghri routes.

This proposal, he noted, does not infringe on the sovereignty, jurisdiction, or territorial integrity of either side. If Baku's concern is securing reliable transport to Nakhichevan, then this issue is already resolved. He added that some time would be required to construct the Nrnadzor-Karchivan railway within Armenia, as well as a short section in the Yeraskh-Nakhichevan segment, but these projects could be completed quickly.

The Prime Minister also stated that Armenia is equally ready to facilitate the transit of pipelines, power lines, and cables from Azerbaijan to Nakhichevan under the same principle, yet Azerbaijan continues to reject this.

He noted that Azerbaijan has announced it would ensure connectivity to Nakhichevan via Iran if Armenia does not provide a route. However, he pointed out that Armenia is willing to offer the same legal conditions as Iran, yet Azerbaijan insists that the passage should be free of "unpredictable" obstacles. Pashinyan questioned whether Iran’s route is obstructed, given that Armenia is ready to provide identical conditions.

“Under the principle of reciprocity, we are prepared to simplify procedures and introduce automated mechanisms for transit. So why does Azerbaijan reject these constructive proposals?

My position is clear: The opening of all regional economic and transport links—including routes from western Azerbaijan through Armenia to Nakhichevan and vice versa, as well as from Meghri-Yeraskh via Nakhichevan and vice versa—is fully prepared. The only requirement is Azerbaijan’s consent,” Pashinyan concluded.