Multiple trade steps motivated Armenia’s gratitude to Ilham Aliyev, Pashinyan says

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has clarified the reasons behind his earlier praise of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, stressing that it was motivated by concrete steps taken to improve trade and transit between the two countries.

Speaking about the issue, Pashinyan said that people often overcomplicate the way they interpret events, focusing on minor details, while drawing broader geopolitical conclusions. He emphasised that Armenia’s expressions of gratitude toward Ilham Aliyev were based on tangible developments rather than symbolic gestures, Caliber.Az reports via Armenian media. 

According to Pashinyan, several positive steps had recently taken place: the ban on grain imports was lifted first from Kazakhstan and then from Russia, while restrictions on rail transit from Armenia in the opposite direction were also removed. He noted that logistical challenges, such as the difficulty of consolidating enough cargo to load a train, explained why rail transport has not yet fully started.

Pashinyan also highlighted that Azerbaijan had offered to sell petroleum products to Armenian entrepreneurs, resulting in a train arriving in Armenia with fuel now available on the market. He stressed that Armenia’s response—expressing gratitude—was appropriate and reflected the practical benefits of these measures.

The prime minister concluded by urging a focus on the real impact of peace and cooperation, rather than overinterpreting minor events, noting that “peace is already a reality and has its concrete reflection.”

By Sabina Mammadli