North-South Project Takes Shape, Says Pashinyan

I am pleased to note that the "Intersection of Peace" project has entered its implementation phase. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated this during his speech at the conference titled "Intersection of Peace: Developing Regional Communications."

"Of course, I also understand that in this context, the broader background of the 'Trump Route' project is more important. In terms of the 'Intersection of Peace' program, we have already entered a phase where the 'North-South' project is taking shape. This year, we will open the section from Gyumri to Yerevan, which is practically ready; we just need to do some furnishing work. The Agarak-Kajaran section is also being constructed at a very fast pace. Currently, very active discussions are underway regarding the construction of the Sisian-Kajaran section, and the project for the construction of the Bargushat tunnel is also under special attention, as we are now entering the final phase for it.

In this context, I consider it extremely important that another historic event has occurred: for the first time since Armenia's independence, cargo from Azerbaijan has entered Armenia via its railway—from Russia and Kazakhstan. Of course, for now, this is via the Azerbaijan-Georgia-Armenia route.

During the Soviet era, we had a direct railway connection with Azerbaijan through the Tavush and Syunik regions. I also want to draw your attention to the fact that Armenia has expressed its readiness today to ensure the transit of cargo vehicles from Turkey through Margara and Kornidzor to Azerbaijan and vice versa. Why are we proposing this now? Because today this infrastructure is ready, and our political readiness exists for the other parts I will talk about, but we just still have investments to make there," he said.