Pashinyan reveals offer to Azerbaijan on unblocking connections

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has revealed the proposal made to Azerbaijan regarding the unblocking of regional connections.

“We have proposed to establish railway cargo connection from Azerbaijan’s western regions to the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic and vice versa, through Armenia’s territory, more specifically through Meghri,” Pashinyan said at a press conference. Why Meghri? Because the other railway which exists between Armenia and Azerbaijan in the Tavush province has sustained the kind of destruction as a result of a landslide in the Haghartsin section that would require huge investments for restoration. The cheap and realistic option is the Meghri railway from Azerbaijan’s western regions to Nakhchivan and vice versa. We have also proposed railway connection from Yeraskh through Nakhchivan territory to Meghri and vice versa,” Pashinyan said, adding that both countries will use the connections through each other’s territory for international trade or cargo shipments.

Pashinyan said that given the existing tensions between the two countries, Armenia considers that starting the process from cargo shipments would be correct, and then, when the atmosphere will be calmer, passenger transportations could be considered.

“We have made this proposal and we are waiting for a positive response from Azerbaijan. Frankly speaking I can’t imagine why they would decline this, knowing Azerbaijan’s positions. We have found a solution solving the objectives of both sides. As to how they would call this is another matter. I don’t rule out that no matter the solution they will still comment it their way, and us, our way. What matters is the essence of the issue, as well as the content. And the content we have proposed is acceptable for us and is fully in line with the principles of the Crossroads of Peace project, but also in line with the expectations raised by Azerbaijan during negotiations. This is highly important because we do not oppose unobstructed connections, but unobstructed doesn’t mean bypassing Armenia’s jurisdiction. The modern world is working for unobstructed connections to exist in all directions and we are ready for these solutions,” Pashinyan said.