Armenia rules out implementing trilateral agreement’s transport clause

Armenian Parliament Speaker Alen Simonyan has confirmed that Yerevan has no intention of fulfilling the ninth point of the trilateral statement signed on November 10, 2020, which pertains to the unblocking of transport communications between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Simonyan made these remarks in response to journalists' questions regarding the potential return to the provisions of the statement, specifically the ninth point, which has become a contentious issue in the ongoing political discourse, Caliber.Az reports citing Armenian media.

The speaker urged for an end to the persistent speculation about Russian influence in Armenia’s foreign policy, stating that Armenia's stance should not be reduced solely to reactions based on Moscow’s actions.

"There is no need to constantly see Russia's shadow—neither in a positive nor negative sense," Simonyan emphasized. "Armenian foreign policy is not solely about reacting to Moscow’s actions; it is about acting in the national interest and making decisions based on the circumstances."

The ninth point of the trilateral statement, which was brokered by Russia, calls for the unblocking of regional transport routes, including those between Armenia and Azerbaijan. However, this aspect of the agreement has remained unimplemented, with both sides expressing differing views on its fulfillment.

Meanwhile, Moscow has reiterated its readiness to play a mediatory role in the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace process. The Russian government continues to prioritize the resolution of key issues such as the signing of a peace agreement, the opening of transport communications, border delimitation, and the settlement of humanitarian concerns. However, Russia has consistently stated that its participation in these processes will be contingent upon the positions and mutual agreement of the involved parties.

The Russian government has also underscored the importance of the trilateral statement, which was signed by the leaders of Armenia, Russia, and Azerbaijan in the aftermath of the 2020 Karabakh war. Moscow has repeatedly stated that the statement remains a crucial framework for ongoing peace and stability in the region.

By Vafa Guliyeva