MP: The issue of the return of Armenian prisoners of war from  Azerbaijani captivity should not be associated with the issue of  unblocking transport communications in the region

ArmInfo. The issue of the return of Armenian prisoners of war from Azerbaijani captivity should not be associated with the issue of unblocking transport  communications in the region. Hovik Aghazaryan, a MP from the ruling  "My Step" faction, said this on January 27 at the discussions on the  implementation of the 9th point of the trilateral statement signed by  the leaders of Armenia, Russia and Azerbaijan.

According to him, today among the public, especially in the  opposition field, there are fears caused by the lack of progress in  negotiations on the return of prisoners of war, and, at the same  time, the imposition of an initiative to unblock transport  communications. The MP expressed confidence that the issue of the  prisoners of war will be resolved within the next month. He recalled  that within the framework of the trilateral statement, a working  group was formed under the leadership of the co-chairs from each  side, the first meeting of which will be held today. As Hovik  Aghazaryan noted, it is important to understand the responsibility of  the parties, proportional solution of all problems and prospects in  this issue. He expressed confidence that during the work of the  working group all these issues will be resolved.

In turn,  head of the "Apaven" transport and logistics company Gagik  Aghajanyan agreed that the two issues are not interconnected, but  consultations on the issue of unblocking transport communications  should definitely be held. During these consultations, the parties  should be informed that neither the modernization of the roads, nor  the construction can be carried out until the 8th paragraph of the  statement on the return of prisoners of war is implemented. "There  can be no economic cooperation as long as there is such a painful  issue as the return of prisoners of war and the bodies of the dead on  the agenda," Gagik Aghajanyan said. 

He noted that at first glance, it seems that the unblocking of  transport communications meets the interests of the parties. But in  each specific case, studies are needed to determine the feasibility  of their renewal and exploitation, their role and significance for  the Armenian economy. According to Aghajanyan, one cannot approach  the issue from a theoretical point of view about the necessity or  importance of roads. He recalled that the road cannot pass along  Khudaferin, if it passes, it must be laid to the north. And for this  reason, the statements of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev about  the possibility of building 166 km of the road for $ 450 million are  ridiculous. The Kars-Akhalkalaki road with a length of 135 km also  cost $ 450 million, but over $ 1 billion was spent. This road was  supposed to be built in 2 years, but actually built in 11 years.  

He also stated that if non-Armenian carriers are involved in the  operation of the railway from Meghri, it will be against Armenia's  national interests. Until 1988 - the beginning of the Krabakh  movement, Armenia possessed the most extensive railway system, being  a crossroads between four states. But in 30 years there have been  major changes. Soon the Astara-Rasht railway will be put into  operation, and the Kars- Akhalkalaki road will be built, and the only  road that has not bypassed Armenia is the south one, and if this  corridor is given away, the country may be left with nothing at all.  Moreover, Turkey has already announced its intention to build the  Kars-Igdir-Sharuzh road, and having transferred 45 km of the road as  a corridor, that Armenia will benefit from this, the head of the  company asks.