Final solutions will be within the framework of Armenia's sovereignty, territorial integrity and jurisdiction – Pashinyan on lifting the blockade

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has addressed the procedures and principles that will be applied to organize communication between the main part of Azerbaijan and Nakhchivan through the territory of Armenia, in line with the trilateral declaration signed by Armenia, Azerbaijan and the United States.

When asked whether the data of people passing through that route would be available to Armenian state bodies and border guards ensuring the connection through Armenia, Pashinyan stressed that to correctly assess and understand the situation, one should not make “guesses” but rely on signed documents.

“At present, there are only those documents that have been signed. There is no other document or agreement related to the general project,” the Prime Minister said.

He quoted the third point in the Declaration signed by Armenia, Azerbaijan and the United States:

" We reaffirmed the importance of the opening of communications between the two countries for intra-state, bilateral, and international transportation for the promotion of peace, stability, and prosperity in the region and in its neighborhood on the basis of respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and jurisdiction of the States. These efforts are to include unimpeded connectivity between the main part of the Republic of Azerbaijan and its Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic through the territory of the Republic of Armenia with reciprocal benefits for international and intra-state connectivity for the Republic of Armenia."

Pashinyan emphasized that further solutions, which will be the subject of discussions and negotiations, must remain within the framework of sovereignty, territorial integrity and jurisdiction, and that the principle of reciprocity must apply.

The Prime Minister added that the sides have not gone into details at this stage, as these depend on attitudes towards broader issues.

“We have not only addressed global issues, but also agreed on and signed them,” he said.
He noted that any possible solutions must be based on the principles of sovereignty, jurisdiction, territorial integrity, inviolability of borders, and reciprocity.

“I think there is no room for misinterpretations here at all,” he concluded.

"The fourth point in the joint Declaration states:

The Republic of Armenia will work with the United States of America and mutually determined third parties, to set forth a framework for the "Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity" (TRIPP) connectivity project in the territory of the Republic of Armenia. We confirm our determination to pursue efforts in good faith to achieve this goal in the most expeditious manner.

It is within the framework of this program that the connection between the main part of Azerbaijan and Nakhchivan will be implemented.''