Pashinyan says Armenia’s energy network ought to be connected to Türkiye and Azerbaijan

Armenia’s Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has rejected claims that a possible integration of the energy networks of Armenia and Azerbaijan would not be beneficial since both countries have an energy surplus.

Pashinyan had earlier said that the energy networks of Armenia and Azerbaijan should be connected.

Speaking at a press briefing on Thursday, Pashinyan said that it would be appropriate for the country’s energy system to be connected to those of Türkiye and Azerbaijan, emphasizing that it is currently connected only to the Georgian and Iranian grids.

In response to a question from Armenpress, Pashinyan said that Armenia and Azerbaijan indeed have an energy surplus, which means there is significant potential in the South Caucasus to gain access to international markets.

“And where could the interest of Armenia and Azerbaijan lie here? Armenia could use Azerbaijan’s networks to gain access to larger export markets, and Azerbaijan is interested in the same logic. Of course, they are also interested in having energy transmissions with Nakhchivan. Look, our energy system is connected to the energy systems of Georgia and Iran, and I believe it would be right for our energy system to also be connected to the energy systems of Türkiye and Azerbaijan. This will expand our export opportunities, as well as increase the region’s capacity to carry out joint exports to other markets, if such a need arises. But that need may also not arise. Let us assume the networks are connected and the models I mentioned do not work; even in that case, Armenia will at least receive revenues from transit. That is, naturally, we are interested in this issue. In this case, not only will state revenues increase, but opportunities will also be created for private companies. Not to mention that energy projects are also envisaged within the framework of the TRIPP project, and no one can describe any threat that could arise for the Republic of Armenia. On the contrary, there will be new opportunities and revenues. If we do not want to use Azerbaijan’s networks for exports, then at the very least we will receive income from transit fees for electricity exported or imported by them through our territory,” the Prime Minister of Armenia stated.

Asked whether there are any practical steps in this direction, the Prime Minister emphasized that work is underway, and that once concrete agreements are reached, they will be announced. “There is political understanding. We have conducted analyses, and I assume Azerbaijan has done the same, and at the expert level we also do not see threats there; on the contrary, we see opportunities, especially as a means of strengthening peace.”

The Prime Minister reiterated that perceptions of security guarantees need to be updated. “Because the perceptions that are mostly relied upon in our country have shown their ineffectiveness. A security guarantee also includes interdependence: when goods flow through Armenia’s territory to international markets and that flow gains significant weight, this will be the greatest security guarantee, because major powers and major markets will then show additional interest in ensuring that these communication routes operate in safe, stable, and calm conditions. There can be no greater security guarantee than that,” the Prime Minister concluded.