Armenia eyes Azerbaijan as key export route, PM tells European Parliament

Armenia is prepared to establish road and rail links connecting the western regions of Azerbaijan with the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic via the Kornidzor-Goris-Yeghegnadzor-Yeraskh route, utilizing existing infrastructure.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan made the remarks during a speech at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, Caliber.Az reports, citing Armenian media.

“Our proposal is in no way intended to delay, disrupt, or disregard the Washington agreements, and I state this officially,” Pashinyan said.

“We are putting forward this proposal because we ourselves use Azerbaijani railways in an alternative way. Just as Azerbaijan expects to establish transit through Armenian territory to the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, we also expect the establishment of a railway link between southern and northern Armenia through Nakhchivan.”

Pashinyan emphasized that for Armenia, this railway connection is essential, noting that the country’s mountainous terrain makes alternative north-south rail routes impossible.

He also highlighted the complementary nature of Armenia’s and Azerbaijan’s transit expectations, adding: “We plan to use the Georgian-Azerbaijani railway for exports. I hope that in the near future Azerbaijan will also become an export route for Armenia. Armenia already imports petroleum products from Azerbaijan, which has lowered fuel prices in our market and broken monopolies that existed for decades.”

The Armenian leader concluded by expressing gratitude to the Georgian Prime Minister for supporting railway connectivity between Armenia and Azerbaijan and for backing the broader peace process.

By Vafa Guliyeva