The Issue Is Not Mainly in Our Field: Papikyan on the Iranians Arrested on the Goris-Kapan Highway

The Iranian drivers arrested by Azerbaijani police on the Goris-Kapan highway are likely to be released within three days. This was stated today by Armenia's Deputy Prime Minister Suren Papikyan during a press conference with journalists.

“Russian border guards are working in this direction, and negotiations are currently underway. The Islamic Republic of Iran is also working through its diplomatic channels. In this regard, the issue is not mainly in our field,” said Papikyan.

According to the Deputy Prime Minister, Armenia did not take this risk into account, but on the other hand, had no other option. Nevertheless, Papikyan noted that the volume of freight transportation has not decreased due to the created situation.

“Freight transport from Iran to Armenia will not stop. We now have alternative ways to transport all goods to any area of Armenia, and we are also looking at Armenia as a transit country for Iran,” said Papikyan.

Regarding the Azerbaijani police checkpoints installed along the Goris-Kapan road, Papikyan stated that they are Azerbaijan's business, which Armenia cannot intervene in. According to the Deputy Prime Minister's comments, those sections of the road were part of Azerbaijani territory according to Soviet maps.