Armenian PM confirms course toward peace with Azerbaijan, Türkiye

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, following the announcement of preliminary results of the parliamentary elections, has reaffirmed Yerevan’s commitment to peace, regional cooperation, and the normalisation of relations with neighbouring countries.

Pashinyan stated that the message to the peoples of Türkiye and Azerbaijan remains the same, saying “the people of Armenia stand for peace, regional prosperity and regional cooperation,” Caliber.Az reports, citing Armenian media.

“I hope this will receive a positive response from both Türkiye and Azerbaijan,” he noted.

The prime minister stressed that one of Armenia’s key priorities is to institutionalise the peace process with Azerbaijan.

“We need to institutionalise peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan,” he said.

Pashinyan also addressed Armenian-Turkish relations, noting that Yerevan expects further progress in normalisation and the opening of the border between the two countries.

“The border with Turkey needs to be opened. By this I mean that Turkey should open the border, and diplomatic relations should also be established,” he added.

He welcomed recent developments in transport links and expressed gratitude for the decision to open the Akhalkalaki–Kars railway route for Armenian cargo.

“We are grateful for the decision to open the Akhalkalaki–Kars railway route for Armenian goods, both for exports and imports,” he emphasised.

Pashinyan added that there is currently positive momentum in relations with Türkiye, but further efforts are needed to achieve a breakthrough.

“We have very good dynamics in relations with Turkey, and at the moment we are satisfied with them. However, this momentum needs to continue to achieve a final breakthrough, meaning the establishment of diplomatic relations and, of course, the full opening of the border,” he explained.

Speaking on relations with Azerbaijan, Pashinyan noted that both sides have already agreed on the text of a peace treaty and now need to proceed to its signing.

“As for Azerbaijan, as you know, we have a preliminarily agreed peace treaty. We need to sign it,” he said.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov