Simplified transit procedures could be considered in unblocking routes with Azerbaijan, says Armenian FM

Armenia considers the possibility of simplifying transit procedures through its territory for transport connection with Azerbaijan in case of unblocking the connection routes, Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan has said.

Armenpress asked FM Mirzoyan to comment on Azerbaijani leader Ilham Aliyev’s latest statement regarding the unblocking of routes in the region. 

“We support the idea of unblocking connections in the region,” Mirzoyan said at a joint press conference with his Georgian counterpart Maka Botchorishvili. He said that Yerevan’s position in the matter is well-known. Mirzoyan said Armenia has conveyed constructive proposals to Azerbaijan and is waiting for a response.

Armenia’s vision for the unblocking would bring great economic benefits to the entire region, including Armenia itself, Azerbaijan and Georgia, Mirzoyan said.

“Our approaches are reflected in the Crossroads of Peace project which is based on the principles of territorial integrity and countries’ sovereignty over connections and infrastructures,” he said.

Mirzoyan emphasized that all countries seek to simplify logistics in the present days.

“If the routes are unblocked with Azerbaijan, we too see some simplified procedures that could be applied, from which Armenia and Azerbaijan could benefit,” Mirzoyan said, reaffirming that Yerevan’s position regarding the matter is unchanged.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev recently said that Armenia’s Crossroads of Peace project is meaningless without Azerbaijan. He claimed that Armenia must provide unobstructed passage between Azerbaijan proper and its exclave of Nakhchivan.