ArmInfo. Armenia's government is firmly committed to rapidly establishing peace in the South Caucasus and transitioning the region to a stable, predictable path, that considers the interests of all countries in the region.
This was stated by Nikol Pashinyan, the head of the Armenian government, speaking at a regular meeting of the Council of CIS Heads of State in Moscow. Expressing gratitude to the Russian Federation and its President for their hospitality, Pashinyan informed the attendees on the progress of the peace process between Armenia and Azerbaijan and outlined Yerevan's vision for further development.
At this stage, we need to make decisions on a range of fundamental issues that can serve as a solid foundation for peace between our countries. This involves mutual recognition of each other's territorial integrity, confirming the absence of territorial claims against each other and an obligation not to make such claims in the future. It also involves observing the principle of non-use of force and threat of force, non- interference in each other's internal affairs, establishing diplomatic relations and creating bilateral mechanisms to fulfill the obligations assumed by the parties in the peace treaty. The wording of all these issues has already been agreed upon by the parties in the draft treaty on peace and interstate relations between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan, and we are ready to sign this document this month, and this is our official position," Pashinyan said. According to him, another crucial factor of establishing stability in the South Caucasus is the issue of unblocking all transport and economic connections. "In this regard, we propose specific solutions that are reflected in the Crossroads of Peace project we have developed. The essence of this project is as follows: Armenia is ready to ensure the passage of vehicles, cargo, passengers, pipelines, cable routes through its territory from Georgia to Iran, in the opposite direction and beyond, and from Turkey to Azerbaijan, in the opposite direction and beyond, as well as between the main part of Azerbaijan and the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. In response to our proposals, Azerbaijan emphasizes that if Armenia does not want to open regional communications, Azerbaijan will use the opportunities to communicate with Nakhichevan, provided by the Islamic Republic of Iran. Of course, we do not object, because this is a matter of sovereign relations between the two countries. But I would like to emphasize once again that Armenia wants regional communications to be opened, and that we are ready to provide transport communications on its territory on the same terms as those provided by the IRI. Moreover, we are ready to agree to some simplification of border control procedures while respecting the principles of reciprocity, equality, observance of sovereignty and jurisdiction of countries. In this context, I would like to emphasize that the Republic of Armenia is fully committed to ensuring the safety of goods, vehicles and people passing through its territory. This commitment is our priority, our duty, and we guarantee it. Meanwhile, any claims that Armenia has allegedly agreed in some form for third countries to oversee the safety of communications on its sovereign territory or that such a document is intended simply do not correspond to reality. Ensuring security on its territory is a sovereign obligation of any country, this is our sovereign duty, we will uphold it without fail,> the Prime Minister of Armenia stated.
