Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan described Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s decision to lift restrictions on cargo transit to Armenia as an “important and positive step” that could help rebuild trust and expand economic cooperation in the South Caucasus.
Speaking at the 5th Tbilisi Silk Road Forum, Pashinyan said the move carries deep symbolic and practical significance.
“President Aliyev has taken a very important and positive step. This decision is vital for restoring trust and developing economic ties in our region. Peace is essential for the entire South Caucasus,” he stated.
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Pashinyan thanked Georgia for hosting the forum, calling it an essential platform for dialogue and cooperation. He said such initiatives strengthen regional stability and mutual confidence among neighboring states.
From Hostility to Connectivity
In his remarks, Pashinyan underlined that Armenia is politically ready to support the transit of goods between Turkey and Azerbaijan through Armenian territory – a move that would have been unthinkable just a few years ago.
“We are ready, both politically and technically, to allow cargo trucks to move through Armenia – from Turkey to Azerbaijan and vice versa. The roads and border infrastructure along the Margara–Yeghegnadzor-Sisian-Goris route are prepared for this,” he said.
However, he acknowledged that while the political will exists, infrastructure gaps remain.
“We are politically ready to ensure cargo transit between Nakhchivan and mainland Azerbaijan, but the necessary infrastructure is missing. The railway also needs repairs. I believe these technical issues can be resolved within the next two or three years,” Pashinyan noted.
He also announced plans to lay new pipelines, power lines, and railway and highway links across Armenia, connecting Azerbaijan, Nakhchivan, Yerevan, and Ankara. These developments, he said, would integrate Armenia into the broader regional transport network.
“A Step Unthinkable a Year Ago”
Reflecting on his remarks of gratitude toward the Azerbaijani president, Pashinyan described the moment as “a sign of change.”
“This alone is significant – a year ago, it would have been impossible to imagine the Armenian Prime Minister expressing thanks to the President of Azerbaijan. Today, this is happening, and it is a very important step forward,” he said.
The Armenian leader added that such gestures demonstrate the shifting dynamics in the South Caucasus, where the focus is gradually moving from conflict to cooperation.
Shared Future of the South Caucasus
Pashinyan emphasized that the destinies of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia are deeply intertwined. Acting together, he said, the countries could unlock the region’s full potential – but failure to cooperate could come at a high cost.
“History shows that when we fail to act together, we only face losses – even the loss of statehood itself. We must see the South Caucasus in a broader context. Despite long periods of conflict and hostility, our nations’ destinies are interlinked,” he said.
Regional Optimism at the Silk Road Forum
Pashinyan’s remarks came on the same day Azerbaijani Prime Minister Ali Asadov praised the lifting of restrictions on Armenian transit as a signal of goodwill from Baku. The Middle Corridor, connecting China and Central Asia to Europe through Azerbaijan and Georgia, has emerged as a symbol of this new regional cooperation.
For the first time in years, leaders from Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgia appeared together at an international event – sending a cautious but unmistakable message that the South Caucasus may be entering an era of pragmatic peace, driven by trade, transit, and shared interests rather than rivalry.
As one Georgian official remarked on the sidelines of the forum, “This is the new Silk Road – not only for goods, but for trust.”
