YEREVAN – Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has said that Armenia and neighboring Iran continue to trust each other despite Yerevan’s efforts to move closer to the West.
In an interview with Iranian state television publicized by his office late on Tuesday, Pashinyan insisted that Armenia’s deepening ties with the United States and the European Union do not pose a “threat” to Iran.
Considering the challenges related to the transit route from Azerbaijan to Nakhchivan, could you clarify Armenia’s general policy on this route? Why has an agreement not yet been signed, and what red lines exist for Armenia?
In response to a question from Iran’s state television, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated:
“You are aware that we have developed the ‘Crossroads of Peace’ initiative, which is essentially about unblocking all transportation routes and economic connections in our region. The reopening of the railway between Armenia and Azerbaijan is a crucial aspect of this initiative. Of course, the restoration of railway links between Azerbaijan and Azerbaijan via Armenian territory—meaning from western Azerbaijan through Armenia to Nakhchivan—as well as between Armenia and Azerbaijan via Nakhchivan, is also significant.
Did I manage to convey the idea clearly? This involves a railway connection from Azerbaijan to Azerbaijan through Armenian territory and from Armenia to Armenia through Azerbaijani territory. Recently, we made a very clear proposal to Azerbaijan to resolve this issue, specifically focusing on freight transportation as the first phase. Naturally, we believe that this matter should be resolved with full respect for territorial integrity, jurisdiction, and sovereignty. The solution we have proposed fully meets these conditions.
Furthermore, it is essential that this arrangement also allows for uninterrupted, full-scale freight transportation without obstacles. Currently, there is a connection from Azerbaijan to Nakhchivan through the territory of the Islamic Republic of Iran. We have stated that, fundamentally, we are willing to offer Azerbaijan the same conditions that Iran provides, while also considering the particularity that this involves not only the transit from Azerbaijan to Azerbaijan through Armenian territory but also from Armenia to Nakhchivan through Azerbaijani territory.
We are also ready to introduce certain simplifications on a reciprocal basis. However, it is important to acknowledge the broader implications of implementing this project. This initiative would positively impact Armenia-Iran relations as well, as both Azerbaijan and Armenia would be able to use each other’s territories for international railway freight transport.
If these transport routes are opened, we will establish a railway connection between Armenia and Iran, significantly deepening our economic ties. At the same time, Azerbaijan will gain the opportunity for full-fledged railway freight transportation through Armenia to Turkey and vice versa. This means that both Armenia and Azerbaijan will be fully integrated into the international railway network. Additionally, this will further enhance trade and economic relations between Iran and Armenia.
Consider this: Armenia is one of the shortest and most convenient routes to the West for the Islamic Republic of Iran. However, at present, we do not have the capability for railway transportation. The construction of an Armenia-Iran railway has been under discussion for a long time, but due to the region’s topography, such a project requires substantial investments. Currently, there is no justification to suggest that potential freight volumes would compensate for these costs in the long term.
However, if our ‘Crossroads of Peace’ initiative is realized, we will have railway access to the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman, and the Islamic Republic of Iran through Armenian territory, reaching the Black Sea and further west. This is an essential project, and we are highly committed to making it a reality, including the connection from western Azerbaijan through Armenia to Nakhchivan and from Yeraskh to Meghri in Armenia.
At the same time, I want to emphasize its global significance. Today, there is a major global crisis in transportation and logistics, partially caused by the situation around Ukraine. Massive volumes of goods are waiting for viable routes to move from west to east and north to south. If our regional transport and economic corridors are opened, the demand for freight transportation will be so high that the infrastructure in Armenia, Iran, Azerbaijan, and Turkey will not be sufficient to handle the full capacity. This creates a significant opportunity to consider new regional infrastructure cooperation projects.”
Third-Party Involvement in Transport Corridors
Some countries have suggested that third-party forces should monitor these corridors or that the UN should be involved. What is your stance on this matter?
Prime Minister Pashinyan responded:
“If we interpret the principles I just outlined—sovereignty, jurisdiction, and full respect for territorial integrity—then the answer is clear: discussions about third-party involvement are unacceptable.
To clarify, you are asking whether third parties would be present as observers in these corridors?
If we translate what I said earlier, it means that discussing third-party involvement is unacceptable for the Republic of Armenia. We do not see any necessity for it, nor does such a necessity exist naturally. Furthermore, despite frequent discussions and certain speculations on this matter, I want to reiterate that the Republic of Armenia has never, either in writing or verbally, assumed any obligation or reached any agreement that would limit our sovereignty, jurisdiction, or territorial integrity in any way.
Even if such claims exist, they have no basis and are entirely disconnected from reality,” the Prime Minister emphasized.
