David Babayan on Replacing the Berdzor Corridor with the Aghdam Road

David Babayan, advisor to Arayik Harutyunyan and representative for special assignments, did not participate in the National Security Council meeting and is therefore unaware of the agenda items discussed. He shared this in an interview with Tert.am.

Simultaneously, Babayan reiterated that it has been announced multiple times that the Aghdam road cannot replace the Berdzor corridor. He stated that the Berdzor corridor holds not only logistical significance but also has a political and legal status, where the entry of people and cargo must be ensured by the Russian Federation in accordance with the November 9 statement.

“Now, if the Aghdam road replaces the Berdzor corridor, can you imagine the consequences it will have? For some reason, the Aghdam road may be activated later, but it cannot replace the Berdzor corridor; if it does, it means there will be no Berdzor corridor, and that will be the end for Artsakh. Artsakh will be cut off from the outside world and Armenia,” the special representative of the Artsakh president asserted in the interview.

Alongside the opening of the Aghdam road, there are also reports circulating about an upcoming meeting in the Azerbaijani city of Barda between representatives of the de facto governance group of Artsakh and the Azerbaijani side. Babayan has no information regarding this issue either. According to him, they are not opposed to meetings, but the matter lies in the format and the subject under discussion.

Additionally, it is reported in the Armenian press today that Artsakh President Arayik Harutyunyan announced at the National Security Council meeting yesterday that a decision has been made to conduct trade via the Aghdam road. According to media reports, this trade will be partial, with construction materials, diesel fuel, and medications entering through this route, while food will be imported via Lachin with the assistance of Russian peacekeepers.