YEREVAN, July 16 — Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan reaffirmed his government’s interest in the opening of regional transport infrastructure, including cross-border trade, transit, and bilateral connectivity with Azerbaijan, during a press conference held earlier today.
According to Armenian media reports, Pashinyan stated that Armenia supports the opening of transport links that would allow:
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Movement from Armenia to Armenia via Azerbaijani territory;
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Movement from Azerbaijan to Azerbaijan via Armenian territory;
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Bilateral trade;
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International travel;
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And transit to third countries through Azerbaijan and vice versa.
Pashinyan stressed that Yerevan has consistently demonstrated its readiness and political will in all negotiations on the subject, while maintaining a clear commitment to the principles of territorial integrity, sovereignty, and jurisdiction of the Republic of Armenia.
Context: Regional Connectivity and Geopolitical Balancing
The statement comes amid renewed international efforts to normalize relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan and unlock post-conflict infrastructure, particularly within the framework of the November 10, 2020 trilateral ceasefire agreement, which calls for unblocking regional transport links.
While Armenia and Azerbaijan continue to negotiate terms of access and control over prospective corridors—especially the controversial Zangezur route—Yerevan’s position reaffirms that any such arrangements must respect national sovereignty and fall within the legal jurisdiction of the host country.
The issue remains a focal point in broader South Caucasus diplomacy, involving stakeholders such as Russia, Turkey, the European Union, and the United States, all of whom have expressed varying degrees of support for regional integration and stability.
