Routes between Yerevan, Baku could open under 2020 agreements Russian deputy prime minister says

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk has affirmed that the reopening of transportation routes between Armenia and Azerbaijan is feasible under the framework established by the November 9, 2020, trilateral agreements (trilateral statements-ed.).

In a briefing, Overchuk emphasized that the potential for unblocking these routes aligns with the agreements made by the leaders of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Russia, as outlined in the joint statement of November 9, 2020, Caliber.Az reports per Russian media.

He reiterated Russia's commitment to facilitating this process, emphasizing that any actions would respect Armenia's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and jurisdiction.

Overchuk highlighted Russia's readiness to assist in the implementation of these agreements and support efforts to restore connectivity between the two countries.

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan and President of Russia Vladimir Putin signed a trilateral statement on November 9, 2020, following the 44-day war, ending hostilities.

Under the agreement, both parties agreed to exchange prisoners of war and the dead. The Armenian forces were to withdraw from Armenian-occupied territories surrounding Karabakh by 1 December 2020.

An approximately 2,000-strong Russian peacekeeping force from the Russian Ground Forces was to be deployed to the region, one of its tasks being the protection of the Lachin corridor.

Additionally, Armenia undertook to "guarantee safety" of transport links between mainland Azerbaijan and its Nakhchivan exclave. Russian FSB's Border Troops would exercise control over the transport connections.