Russian Deputy Prime Minister on Developments in the South Caucasus: Armenia and Azerbaijan

Russia supports the unblocking of communications in the South Caucasus, reflecting the interests of both the countries in the region and Russia itself. This was stated by Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk in an interview with RIA Novosti.

“We support the unblocking process in the South Caucasus,” said Overchuk. He recalled that the trilateral declaration adopted by the leaders of Russia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia on November 9, 2020, ended the 44-day autumn war between Azerbaijan and Armenia and opened the way for establishing peace in the region. The 9th point of the declaration directly addresses the need to resolve communication issues between these countries and to establish normal economic relations.

“We support this. Why? Because they are our allies. We have quite normal economic relations with each of these countries separately. Moreover, we are allies with Armenia within the framework of the Eurasian Economic Union. Normal relations between them will open up new opportunities for joint development and will benefit all countries in the region.

“They have closed borders with Turkey, closed borders with Azerbaijan, and an open border with Iran, but the road infrastructure is outdated and needs modernization, which affects logistics. The only convenient exit to the outside world is through Georgia, where the connection with Russia is conducted via one automobile checkpoint, which is dependent on weather conditions.

It is very important that Armenia, as a member of the EEU, has the opportunity to develop normally and have proper transport and logistical connections with its neighbors, including our country,” Overchuk noted.

The unblocking of roads is also very important for Azerbaijan, he added. “Azerbaijan seeks to restore the transport route that will ensure the shortest and most convenient connection with Nakhchivan. During the Soviet years, there was a railway along the Araks River, which was dismantled. There was also a road that people used. In addition, Azerbaijan aims to benefit from its geographical position, transforming itself into a transport-logistical hub of significance for all of Eurasia. Furthermore, Azerbaijan seeks to improve its transport connections with Turkey,” he said.

The Deputy Prime Minister reminded that in August of this year, Turkey began constructing a new railway stretching from Kars to the border with Nakhchivan, which will ensure the shortest railway connection between the countries.