Armenia working with EU on implementation of northern route, Pashinyan says

Armenia is working with the European Union on the issue of unblocking regional communications, particularly on the implementation of the northern route, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan told reporters.

According to the prime minister, studies have shown that the shortest East-West route passes through Armenia’s Tavush, Lori and Shirak provinces.

“We are working with the European Union on the implementation of this project,” Pashinyan said.

He said the simplest way to implement the project would be to open the Kazakh-Ijevan-Vanadzor-Gyumri-Akhurik roads to international freight traffic on a paid basis. 

Pashinyan noted that the project is easy to implement, but requires political agreements. “Political agreements need to be reached and implemented. Of course, the Armenia-Turkey border also needs to be opened,” the prime minister said.

He assessed that the project could generate significant regional interest. Pashinyan added that a small section of road would need to be built in Akhurik, but said this was feasible.