PM Pashinyan: Baku, Yerevan still have differences regarding opening of communications

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has stated that Yerevan and Baku may initial the peace agreement before its official signing.

"Yes, there is such an idea. This idea is on the table for discussion," he said at a press conference, Caliber.Az reports, citing Armenian media.

According to him, Armenia is not missing any opportunity on the path to signing a peace agreement with Azerbaijan, but Baku and Yerevan still have differences regarding the opening of communications.

"At the moment, there is no specific option or formula that would allow me to say we are very close to an agreement. There are formulas, there are discussions. One thing is clear: we want and are ready to turn Armenia into a transit country with attractive conditions," Pashinyan said.

"Armenia is interested in the opening of transport infrastructure in the region," he added.

Pashinyan also touched upon the issue of cooperation within the trilateral format of the deputy prime ministers of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Russia.

"The trilateral format of the deputy prime ministers of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Russia has long ceased to function. And it is not functioning for reasons well known to you, including discrepancies in the existing texts and practical issues, and, let’s be frank, a certain level of mistrust — that is the reality," the prime minister stated.

The meeting between Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in Abu Dhabi on July 10, 2025, marked a significant moment in the ongoing peace process between Armenia and Azerbaijan. This bilateral encounter, held without intermediaries, was a notable departure from previous negotiations, which often involved mediators like Russia, the European Union, or the United States. The choice of Abu Dhabi as a neutral venue, facilitated by the United Arab Emirates’ balanced foreign policy, underscored Azerbaijan’s initiative to create a constructive, result-oriented environment for dialogue.

Despite the constructive atmosphere, no breakthrough was achieved on signing the peace treaty, and differences persist, particularly regarding the opening of Zangezur corridor.

By Khagan Isayev