Based on the January 11 statement, a trilateral working group was created. It stated with the participation of Azerbaijan that the reopened roads will operate within the framework of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the countries, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan said, answering the questions of the media and NGOs.
“That is, the road that passes must be under the sovereignty of the given country. The use of roads must take place on a parity basis. At the working level, we have never heard the word ‘corridor’ from Azerbaijan. It was registered in the trilateral working group that there is none. Why should something that does not exist, be acceptable to us? Why should we discuss it at all? Here is the policy of blackmail of Azerbaijan. They named it ‘Zangezur Corridor’ and they say, oh, if you do not give a corridor, we will get that corridor through war. We must put this fact in front of the eyes of the international community. We must show this as an openly aggressive policy of Azerbaijan, which must receive an adequate international assessment,” Pashinyan said.
According to the Prime Minister, the next issue is the issue of routes.
“If it happens within the framework of sovereignty, and Armenia says I am ready to provide a way between Nakhichevan and West Azerbaijan, sorry, but Armenia decides how it provides that communication. Otherwise, what sovereignty? That is, does Azerbaijan want to decide how to enter and how to leave? There will be no such thing. But, on the other hand, Armenia is interested in the restoration of the railway and road connection. I have publicly said, yes, Azerbaijan should get a road and railway. In this case, we are talking about a great international road. I think Armenia has an interest here as well," Pashinyan said.
“Today, all the countries in the world are fighting for the roads to pass through their territory, the railways pass through their territory, the gas pipelines pass through their territory, the oil pipelines pass through their territory, the cargo pass through their territory as much as possible. We are interested in the opening of the Kars-Gyumri railway, too, to get a bigger context, from which Armenia will also benefit. Azerbaijan understands what this means, that is why it is constantly trying to create a nervous atmosphere, including inside Armenia. Does Armenia itself oppose its unblocking? Do you understand where the absurdity has reached?" the Prime Minister said.
