The authorities of Armenia have spoken about the readiness to open regional communications on the basis of the principle of sovereignty and jurisdiction within the framework of equality and reciprocity. Azerbaijan, in fact, did not refuse such an approach. Maria Zakharova, the official representative of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), stated this at Wednesday’s press briefing.
"This topic was previously discussed in detail in the format of a tripartite working group, which was co-chaired by the deputy prime ministers of the Russian Federation, Armenia, and Azerbaijan. Sadly, this work has now stopped due to the position of our Armenian colleagues. As for the point of the announcement which refers to the monitoring of the border guard service of the FSB [(Federal Security Service)] of the Russian Federation on the Meghri route, then it is logical both from the optimal organization of traffic and from the economic point of view. Russian border guards are already stationed in the south of Syunik Province [of Armenia]; they protect the border of Armenia and Iran," said Zakharova.
Also, she stated that the Crossroads of Peace project proposed by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is not an alternative to Meghri or another route.
"Rather, it is a broader vision of the future of regional and subregional communications. Within the framework of the 22nd session of the intergovernmental commission for Russian-Armenian economic cooperation, Alexey Overchuk expressed support for the project and noted Russia's contribution to its implementation," Zakharova said.
The official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry explained the reluctance of extra-regional players to help unblock communications in the South Caucasus solely by the political situation.
"They are not interested in increasing the interdependence of Armenia and Azerbaijan with each other and with their neighbors. They seek to divide the region into pieces, to represent their interests without thinking about the interests of others, and thus deepen the contradictions between the countries," concluded Zakharova.
