November 9 document does not imply that Russia's FSB must be present on the ground: Pashinyan on Clause 9

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 11, ARMENPRESS. In Clause 9 of the document signed on November 9, 2020, between Armenia, Russia, and Azerbaijan, it is clearly stated that all economic and transport links in the region shall be unblocked. The Republic of Armenia shall guarantee the safety of transport communication between the western regions of Azerbaijan and the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic to ensure the unimpeded movement of citizens, vehicles, and cargo in both directions. However, it does not specify that the Federal Security Service of Russia must be present on the ground.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan made this statement during a question-and-answer session with the government in the National Assembly.

The Prime Minister quoted the first sentence of Clause 9 from the tripartite statement of November 9: "All economic and transport links in the region shall be unblocked."

This means that Clause 9 is not solely about establishing contact between Azerbaijan and Nakhchivan; it is primarily about the broader issue of unblocking all regional transport links.

"It concerns the opening of all transportation links in the region—such as the Armenia-Russia railway through Meghri and the Ijevan-Kazakh route, as well as road transport routes from Armenia to Iran via Nakhchivan, Azerbaijan, Azerbaijan to Russia, Kazakhstan, and so on. Clause 9 is about this. Has Armenia blocked the railway to Iran, preventing it from operating? If it is open, let us know, and we will transport our cargo there," Pashinyan said.

"The guarantor of security is the Republic of Armenia," the Prime Minister emphasized. "And anyone who claims that security is guaranteed by a third country must show where this is written. Moreover, the Republic of Armenia is responsible for organizing road traffic. How can the Republic of Armenia guarantee security if it is not responsible for it? How is that possible? If this were the case, then the Republic of Armenia would guarantee the security of all countries and peace throughout the world," he stressed.

He reiterated: "Armenia guarantees and organizes. There is nothing written that requires someone else to come and guarantee, provide security, or organize. Everything is handled by the Republic of Armenia. This reflects our views on jurisdiction and sovereignty, as expressed in the 'Crossroads of Peace' project," he added.

Clause 9 also states that control over transport communication shall be exercised by the Border Guard Service of the Federal Security Service of Russia.

"Where is it written that FSB bodies must be present on the ground? There is no such requirement. Even if the presence of Russian border guards in Armenia is considered, their presence is a matter of contract and Armenia's decision. Today, Armenia has decided that they are present; tomorrow, it can decide otherwise," Pashinyan said.

He continued, stating that, according to the agreement between the parties, the construction of new transport links connecting the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic with the western regions of Azerbaijan will be ensured.

 "We agree: come, pass, who’s stopping you?" Pashinyan said. "Azerbaijan disagrees because it claims that Armenia should not provide security. But how can I not provide security when I have signed and you also signed that Armenia should provide it?"

Pashinyan emphasized that the document does not limit the sovereignty of the Republic of Armenia over any of its territory, nor does it delegate any functions. He added that, given the crisis situation, Armenia had previously expressed its willingness to consider outsourcing on a mirror basis, but this was an act of goodwill.

According to Pashinyan, the statements made by officials from some countries give the impression that they either have not read the document at all or have not read it recently.