We Are Preparing to Use the Territory of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic: Mirzoyan

During the Warsaw Security Forum, Minister Mirzoyan gave an interview to Polish TVP World. This was reported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia.

Journalist: So, in August, Armenia and Azerbaijan signed the Declaration in Washington. What progress has been recorded since then?

Ararat Mirzoyan: Indeed, on August 8, the Prime Minister of Armenia and the President of Azerbaijan signed the Declaration, which was also signed by then-President Donald Trump of the United States as a witness. In this Declaration, the leaders agreed on a number of very important issues. First and foremost, they witnessed the preliminary signing of the Peace Agreement by Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Bayramov and myself. This was a significant milestone in itself. Furthermore, in this Declaration, the leaders agreed on fundamental principles regarding the regulation of communication issues. I mean the unblocking and reopening of transport infrastructures between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and the resumption of transit connections. The principles include recognition of territorial integrity, inviolability of borders, sovereignty of states, as well as recognition of national jurisdiction over transit lines and recoverable and refurbished infrastructures.

Journalist: Is this what will be called the “Trump Road for International Peace and Prosperity”?

Ararat Mirzoyan: The idea is much broader than that. Armenia and Azerbaijan have agreed to unblock transportation communications between each other, which pertains to the entire infrastructure. For instance, Armenia will gain access to Azerbaijan's railway system, and Azerbaijan to Armenia's railway system, and later to roadways and other infrastructures. We can use each other’s infrastructures as normal neighbors do, for example, in Europe or elsewhere. The part of that infrastructure which constitutes the shortest link between Azerbaijan's mainland and the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic should be launched as TRIPP, that is, the 'Trump Road for International Peace and Prosperity.'

What is TRIPP? Armenia and the United States are preparing to create a consortium—a company that will be the builder and main operator of the railway corridor. This consortium can, in turn, involve a third company or companies to perform certain tasks or to provide certain services for the entire corridor. Additionally, the consortium can also implement, build, and then operate pipelines, power lines, and so forth. Thus, all agreements will be mutual. For example, we are also preparing to use the territory of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic to connect the north and south of Armenia by railway. Currently, there is no such railway connection.

Journalist: In Armenia, we had the opportunity to visit the border with the European Union's observer mission. They showed us the border areas, the mountains. We saw that. But let me ask you this question, Mr. Minister, as complicated as this issue may be: is there a rough timeline for when these borders, specifically with Turkey, will open for free transit, travel, and the like? And is it already known when this railway route will practically begin? Because I remember the U.S. ambassador in Armenia also mentioned that the U.S. has allocated $145 million for different programs. So, when can we see a timeline?

Ararat Mirzoyan: You see, as I have already said, we have agreed on fundamental principles. Now, together with the delegation or group that has arrived from the United States, we need to coordinate the technical solutions and technical details regarding the corridor and the company I just mentioned. We have already started discussions with our American partners. I believe that in the coming months we can complete this process, and then the construction should commence. If we talk about the railway connection, specialists say that its construction could take, for example, at least two years. However, we are very interested in constructing, opening, and resuming connections between Armenia and Azerbaijan as soon as possible because, as I mentioned, we are one of the main stakeholders. We can also send or receive goods using the infrastructures and territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan. But this is about communications.

There is also the section of the Peace Agreement, which has been preliminarily signed by the Azerbaijani Minister and myself. Thus, we are ready; the text was finalized earlier, in March of this year, it is now preliminarily signed, and we are ready to sign that agreement as soon as possible. The Azerbaijani side is putting forward certain preconditions, and we do not share that agenda. Nevertheless, even before the final signing ceremony of the Peace Agreement, there are processes that are already taking place or can take place before the signature. For example, we have discussed the possibility of being more tolerant towards each other or, even more, the prospects of cooperation on international platforms.

Journalist: After decades of conflict.

Ararat Mirzoyan: After decades of conflict. You can imagine what a heavy burden has accumulated on various platforms, documents, conventions, where we have had reservations, special opinions, and so forth. We have jointly applied to the OSCE structures to close the Minsk Process structures. This is already an accomplished step. There is also the process of border demarcation. It has long begun. We have already demarcated 12 kilometers of the border. For example, when visiting the Armenian village located in that border area, one can see that it is genuinely developing; a new school has been built, people feel more secure, and there is no concern regarding security among the population, the villagers. Thus, there are processes that are already taking place, and there are also steps that are still ahead.

Journalist: What can you say about the challenges?

Ararat Mirzoyan: Decades-long conflict has also accumulated a heavy psychological burden. There is a history of blood and memory on both sides. I believe that among societies, probably on both sides, caution still prevails. The reconciliation process will take time. Peace, as I mentioned, has been established; however, it requires constant care and daily effort from both sides. In this context, I must emphasize that any aggressive rhetoric from either side does not contribute to the process.

Journalist: Speaking of aggressive rhetoric, allow me to ask: what role does Russia continue to play today? I think this is an important question, isn’t it? We see that Russia’s role in the South Caucasus is gradually diminishing. But is it still playing any role in Armenia's security? Or does it no longer hold the same significance as it did, say, 15 years ago?

Ararat Mirzoyan: You know, regarding the establishment of peace and the Washington Declaration, we officially heard welcoming statements from senior Russian officials. At the same official level, we also saw the expressed willingness of senior Russian representatives to support this connectivity project and to participate in some way. However, I cannot fail to mention that we are almost witnessing daily harsh criticism from Russian media, sometimes even state media, as well as from members of parliament, experts, and political figures regarding the Armenian government and our country’s current foreign policy.

Journalist: Why? Isn’t it good to see how Armenia is developing with the West and getting closer to Europe?

Ararat Mirzoyan: Perhaps that question is better directed at your Russian guests, should there be any. But without delving into the reasons, these reasons can be both simple and quite complex; nevertheless, I am confident that both our Russian partners and any other country or international actor should respect the will of the Armenian people. Democratic elections are regularly held in Armenia, political forces present their programs and views on the most important issues, and the final decision is made by the citizens of Armenia. Our political force, under the leadership of our Prime Minister, received the trust of the majority of voters in the 2021 snap parliamentary elections, which were held amid a serious internal political crisis in the country. This year, several sociological surveys have also been conducted, and parliamentary elections are set to be held again in June 2026. You will see.