Friday, September 30 2022 10:22

ArmInfo. The trilateral working group chaired by the deputy prime ministers of Armenia,  Russia and Azerbaijan has carried out major work within almost two  years. As a result of negotiations, the sides have a vision of the  routes, the implementation of which could lead to the regional  unblocking, Deputy Prime Minister of Russia Alexei Overchuk said in  an interview with the Rossiyskaya Gazeta daily, ARMENPRESS reports. 

However, Overchuk notes that roads could be opened or built only  after the sides clearly determine the legal regime for border  crossing between the two countries, as well as the traffic order on  that roads.

"It's important that a principle has been developed during the talks  which served as a base for approaches on determining that regime. The  principle is the following: "the sovereignty over the road is  exercised by the country through which territory it passes". It means  that if the road passes through Armenia's territory, it is an  Armenian road, and if through Azerbaijani territory it is an  Azerbaijani road. Russia has always supported the principle of the  sovereignty of the sides and clearly follows the positions of the  2020 November 9 and 2021 January 11 statements of the leaders of the  three countries.

This means that there is no talk of any "extraterritorial corridor"  in the negotiations of the deputy prime ministerial working group,  that could in any way violate the sovereignty of any of the parties,  and there cannot be such a talk", the Russian Deputy PM said.

He said that the implementation of this principle in practice means  that border and passport measures will be implemented in order to  enter Armenia via the unblocked or newly-built roads, such as say,  when entering from Iran to Armenia. The same passport control will be  applied also while entering Azerbaijan from Armenia.

"In addition, issues relating to paying for the use of roads in  accordance with the national legislations of the sides, and ensuring  the safety of citizens, vehicles and cargo traffic through the  territory of one country are being discussed.

It seems, all sides today have the understanding of the possibility  of practical implementation of these issues without violation of the  sovereignty of any side. However, the negotiations will end only when  there will be a full confidence that all legal aspects have been  taken into account, nothing has been left open and no one will  interpret the result reached as a victory against the other side. The  successful end of talks will be the common victory of all sides",  Overchuk said.

When asked whether the trilateral task force is working in order to  make the border crossing regime between Armenia and Azerbaijan the  same as everyone is used to seeing between the countries having  normal relations, the Russian Deputy PM said: "You are absolutely  right. We are going for it", he said.