PM Pashinyan Proposes Strategic "East-West" Corridor to Link Europe and Asia at BRICS Summit

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan addressed global leaders at the BRICS+ Summit in Kazan, Russia, emphasizing the importance of Armenia's new "Crossroads of Peace" transport and communication project. The initiative is aimed at boosting regional trade and cooperation – and aligns with the summit’s goal of building a better world, especially for the Global South. Leaders from nearly 40 countries were present at the event.

In his speech, Pashinyan outlined the main points of the project, highlighting Armenia’s geographic location as an ideal crossroads for international transport and communication. The project aims to connect regions through two main routes:

1. North-South Corridor: This will link the Black Sea to the Persian Gulf, passing through Iran, Armenia, and Georgia.

2. East-West Corridor: This route will stretch from the Caspian Sea to the Marmara Sea, traversing Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Turkey.

Pashinyan stated that Armenia is ready to facilitate the movement of vehicles, cargo, passengers, pipelines, and communication cables through its territory. He emphasized that Armenia’s location offers the shortest and most efficient routes between these regions, making it a key player in global transportation.

The Prime Minister also addressed concerns regarding the security of communication routes, specifically those involving neighboring Azerbaijan and the Nakhijevan Autonomous Republic. Pashinyan assured the summit that Armenia has proposed simplified border and customs control mechanisms with Azerbaijan, based on mutual respect for the sovereignty of both nations. He further guaranteed Armenia’s ability to ensure the safety of goods, vehicles, and people moving through its territory.

In response to rumors that Armenia had agreed to allow third countries to provide security on its sovereign territory, Pashinyan firmly denied these claims. He stressed that Armenia has not agreed to any such arrangement, and no document exists that would imply otherwise.

The Armenian parliament recently ratified a new agreement on border demarcation with Azerbaijan. This agreement is seen as a step forward in resolving long-standing border issues between the two countries, based on the principles of the 1991 Alma-Ata Declaration. Pashinyan noted that this decision by Armenia’s Constitutional Court eliminates any concerns about territorial claims, reinforcing Armenia's commitment to peaceful coexistence with its neighbors.

Pashinyan also touched on the progress of peace negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan. He said that both countries have agreed on 80-90% of the content of a draft peace agreement, which includes mutual recognition of each other’s territorial integrity and the commitment not to make future territorial claims. The agreement also establishes diplomatic relations and mechanisms for upholding obligations between the two nations.

The Armenian Prime Minister concluded his speech by reiterating Armenia's dedication to regional stability and cooperation. He called on Azerbaijan to finalize the peace agreement, which he believes will lay the foundation for lasting peace and improved relations between the two countries.