No Corridor, But Road Issues Are Being Discussed, Possible Through Meghri

The intergovernmental working group established to discuss economic and transport unblocking issues between Armenia and Azerbaijan has not met since April due to increased border tensions. The timing of the next meeting remains uncertain. The format is trilateral, with Russia as the third party, as confirmed to Hraparak.am by Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan, who leads the Armenian side's working group.

As of April, what progress had been made? Back then, discussions were still at the expert level regarding legal regulations within the framework of CIS normative acts, as well as international conventions and treaties to which Armenia is a party. The technical capabilities of infrastructure were also under discussion. That was the extent of the discussions.

When will the next meeting take place? After the formation of the government, it will become clear when meetings and dates will occur.

Have the recent elections changed anything in the expectations of relationships with Azerbaijan? After all, if the government has changed, perhaps everything could proceed differently. I apologize, but I am not the addressee of this question. You speak of joy; perhaps the joyful public should be asked, I cannot respond. However, unfortunately or fortunately, I have no connection to that joyful public, which is why I am asking you. I want to understand how you foresee the developments, as Aliyev spoke before and after the elections about providing a corridor through Syunik and beyond.

Taking this opportunity, I want to reiterate and record once again that I have never discussed corridor logic, do not discuss it, and will not discuss it; it is simply excluded, and in this context, I do not see any need or necessity to comment, because such a thing will not happen. It is simply not feasible; it is excluded. Regardless of who is rejoicing or who is saddened, it will not happen.

Excuse me, what does corridor logic mean? Corridor logic presupposes that any issue related to unblocking agreements or opportunities, which would entail any sovereign additional rights or burdens, I exclude that. We are talking about our sovereign infrastructures.

If I translate what you said more simply, it means that if any road is given, it will not be under anyone's direct control, and no one will have dominance over that road, am I understanding correctly? Absolutely. Not only in terms of control, but also in terms of any privileges or special status.

This means a road can be provided, but only with equal rights of use from both sides? And also considering other neighboring countries. But in any case, the issue of the road may be discussed or is being discussed. Yes, we are discussing the unblocking issue, and that is normal, and we have such a goal, yes.

So the government aims to open a road that would be usable by Armenia, Azerbaijan, and perhaps also Iran and Turkey? I did not say anything regarding Turkey; that is a matter for separate discussions. But the neighboring countries that currently have the opportunity to transit through our territory for cargo transportation are indeed being considered in this regard.

Which area, through Syunik, and specifically which part of Syunik, through Meghri? That will depend on the physical capabilities and efficiency of the infrastructure.

And what did Vladimir Putin mean when he congratulated Nikol Pashinyan saying that Armenia should be ready for painful solutions? What kind of painful solution? I cannot comment, as I believe I am not the addressee of the question. But by congratulating Pashinyan, he also congratulated his government, right? That message was directed at the government, was it not, since you are preparing those solutions for the people?

Again, I want to reiterate that I am not looking for anything special in that statement. Secondly, I believe that I am not the addressee. There is nothing special; there are simply painful issues. I want to understand if the provision of this road could be painful for the Armenian people. I do not think so. And I do not believe that there is a discussion item on the agenda that would be disadvantageous or would not be advantageous for Armenia.

Do you think that any process, whether it concerns the transfer of territories, exchanges, or the provision of roads, will be mutually beneficial for Armenia? I have not said anything about the transfer or exchange of territories, and there is nothing on my agenda regarding that. Our platform discusses transport unblocking issues, and we must do everything to make it beneficial, and we are confident that it will be.

Is there a discussion regarding transport unblocking in the Tavush region as well? There is potential for rail and road connections there, so yes, it is on the agenda, but I cannot say anything more detailed right now.