Unblocking with Turkiye, Azerbaijan to transform region into secure logistics hub, says Armenian intelligence

The complete unblocking of connections with Turkiye and Azerbaijan has a real potential to transform the region into “one of the important and secure logistics hubs of Eurasia,” the Armenian foreign intelligence agency has said.

“In 2025, regional and extra-regional actors’ race for regional infrastructure projects will most likely continue to fit into the logic of preserving or increasing their own political influence in the region, which might produce additional security risks for Armenia,” the Foreign Intelligence Agency said in its 2025 external risks report.

“In 2025, regional and extra-regional actors’ race for regional infrastructure projects will most likely continue to fit into the logic of preserving or increasing their own political influence in the region, which might produce additional security risks for Armenia. Contrary to some centers, that view the regional unblocking in terms of competitive and political influences, Armenia considers regional unblocking not only as one of the components of peace agenda, but also as an opportunity to fully realize the potential of logistical and transit routes, the complete essence of which is reflected in the “Crossroads of Peace” project. The complete unblocking of the routes and transit opportunities with Türkiye and Azerbaijan is not only one of the key guarantees for regional stability, but, considering the current geopolitical and regional realities, it has a real potential to turn the region into one of the important and secure logistics hubs of Eurasia,” the agency said.

The report also addressed the risks of secondary economic sanctions. 

Armenia faces substantial challenges due to the existing sanctions against some of its trade partners, namely the Russian Federation and the Islamic Republic of Iran, the agency noted. “The utilization of our economic potential is limited by risks of secondary sanctions, the expansion of which can entail new limitations for Armenia’s economy. In 2025, it is unlikely that the sanctions against either Russia or Iran will be lifted or eased in a way, that will significantly impact the economy of Armenia. Therefore, the risks connected to secondary sanctions will remain acute. On the other hand, in combination with other factors, the continuous imposition of sanctions against Russia and the Russian-Ukrainian conflict are increasing the likelihood of economic slowdown in Russia and creating additional risks for the economy of Armenia.”