Unblocking South Caucasus communications will create new opportunities for Georgia - President Khachaturyan

The opening of regional communications in the South Caucasus would also provide Georgia with an opportunity to establish a connection with the Persian Gulf, and the launch of the Gyumri–Kars railway together with Georgian railways could become an important component of Europe-Central Asia links, Armenian President Vahagn Khachaturyan said during a joint press conference with Georgian President Mikheil Kavelashvili in Tbilisi.

President Khachaturyan noted that the meeting with the President of Georgia focused on regional issues, including the outcomes of the trilateral meeting between the leaders of Armenia, the United States, and Azerbaijan held in Washington on August 8, and the possible economic opportunities arising from the unblocking of regional infrastructure.

He emphasized that the Washington Accords process is fully consistent with Armenia’s “Crossroads of Peace” project.

“For Armenia, the institutionalization of peace and interdependence in the region, based on the fundamental principles of sovereignty, jurisdiction, equality, and reciprocity, is a priority.

“We are confident that the long-term peace and stability established between Armenia and Azerbaijan, as well as the complete unblocking of transport and communication routes in the region, including through the TRIPP project, will make the South Caucasus an effective transit and logistics hub, also contributing to regional and global connectivity,” he said.

According to him, ensuring lasting peace, stability, security, and cooperation between states and peoples, and building a prosperous future, are the common responsibility of the international community.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, U.S. President Donald Trump, and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev signed a declaration in Washington on August 8, the fourth point of which 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.

President Khachaturyan is on an official visit to Georgia on November 19–20. As part of the visit, he has already met with Georgian President Mikheil Kavelashvili. The President will also meet with Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze and Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili.