Armenia Interested in Using Communication Routes Passing Through Azerbaijani Territories, Security Council Secretary

The Azerbaijani side constantly raises the issue of what they call the opening of a "transport corridor" through Armenian territory. The position of the Republic of Armenia regarding this issue has not changed. There cannot be a road or transportation route in the logic of a corridor through the territory of Armenia. This statement was made by Armenia’s Security Council Secretary Armen Grigoryan during his speech at the 10th meeting of the Secretaries of Security Councils of the CIS member states.

He also noted, "I have repeatedly stated this and would like to emphasize once again that there is no mention of such corridors in the trilateral statements made by the leaders of Armenia, Russia, and Azerbaijan on November 9, 2020, January 11, 2021, and November 26, 2021, as well as in the decree No. 695 dated November 10, 2020, on measures aimed at ensuring peace in Nagorno-Karabakh, issued by the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin. Therefore, we consider the arbitrary and unrealistic interpretation of the agreements reached as unacceptable.

At the same time, we are interested in a real solution to the issue of unblocking communication routes in the region and support the activities of the trilateral Working Group established under the joint chairmanship of the Deputy Prime Ministers of the Republic of Armenia, the Republic of Azerbaijan, and the Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation.

The activities of this working group stem from the fact that the transport infrastructure being restored and constructed must operate under the full sovereignty and national legislation of the states through whose territory they pass. The Republic of Armenia is ready for the prompt opening of the roads on this basis.

Moreover, to ensure transport communication between the western regions of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, a draft government decision on opening three checkpoints has long been in official circulation.

However, as evident, the Azerbaijani side shows no interest in resolving the issue constructively and continues to propose a "corridor" solution, which is unacceptable for Armenia. In short, it is very difficult to communicate and reach an agreement with those who have no desire for dialogue and pursue entirely different goals.

Dear colleagues, in this context, I would like to draw your attention to the fact that we are talking about the opening of all communications in the region, and it is sometimes overlooked or not mentioned that according to the statements of the leaders of Armenia, Russia, and Azerbaijan, I quote from point 9 of the Declaration of November 9, 2020, "All economic and transport ties in the region are unblocked." This means that the communications should be opened not only for Azerbaijan but also for Armenia.

In other words, this is not a one-sided road, but a comprehensive process from which all parties must benefit. In particular, Armenia is interested in using communication routes and corridors passing through Azerbaijani territories to carry out cargo transportation in both directions."