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Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan addressed the issue of reopening regional communications and responded to concerns over the term "Zangezur Corridor," which has been used by Azerbaijan.
During a Q&A session with Cabinet members in Parliament, MP Lilit Minasyan asked why the Prime Minister's positions on reopening regional communications appeared to have hardened recently. Pashinyan emphasized that his positions have not changed. He stated that what was recorded in the Washington document reflects the government’s policy and should be implemented as soon as possible.
"My positions have not changed: they have not hardened, they have not weakened. What was recorded on August 8, 2025, in Washington is our policy, our will, and we are convinced it should be implemented as soon as possible," he said.
Pashinyan explained the issue: "The problem is this: we have signed and initialed documents, and when expressions are heard that are not mentioned in those documents, naturally a question arises. For example, the term "Zangezur Corridor." If we open and read the documents signed in Washington, is this phrase there? No. The initialed Agreement on the Establishment of Peace and Inter-State Relations-does it contain this wording? No. Have we ever adopted such a term in any document? We have not. Therefore, the question arises: why is it being circulated?"
He added that if Azerbaijan decides to name a road, such as Horadiz-Zangilan, Armenia should consider whether this concerns them. "In the case of Armenia, names are decided by Armenia; in the case of Azerbaijan, by Azerbaijan. This is recorded in the document because we have recognized each other's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and inviolability of borders."
Pashinyan stressed that Armenia's position is unchanged. The country’s goal remains to quickly initiate and implement infrastructure projects that will reopen regional communications, while adhering to five key principles: sovereignty, territorial integrity, inviolability of borders, jurisdiction, and reciprocity.
"Now we can start designing and building gas pipelines, power lines, and cables without any problems. We should also begin designing the railway and determine which infrastructures need to be reopened," he said.
He emphasized that while simplifications in customs and border controls are possible to meet modern international standards, they must still respect the five principles: sovereignty, territorial integrity, inviolability of borders, jurisdiction, and reciprocity.
"Our will and determination have not been shaken. I raise a question: why create a dispute over words? Let’s practically implement what we have agreed on. We are ready to do this and are working intensively in that direction," Pashinyan concluded.