Reopening transport crucial for Azerbaijan-Armenia normalization -  Maria Zakharova

ArmInfo.Reopening transportation links in the South Caucasus stands as a fundamental aspect of the Armenian-Azerbaijani reconciliation, Maria Zakharova, Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia, said in  an exclusive interview with Trend.

"Unblocking transport communications in the South Caucasus is a key  element of the Armenian- Azerbaijani normalization, built on the  basis of a set of trilateral agreements at the highest level for  2020- 2022. The Tripartite Working Group (TWG), co-chaired by  vice-premiers from Russia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia, has been  entrusted with addressing this matter. As of now, 12 TWG meetings  have been convened, with the latest occurring on June 2, during which  a comprehensive examination of potential railway and road routes took  place," she said, while commenting upon the benefits the Zangezur  corridor is set to provide for the region.

Zakharova pointed out that substantial progress has been achieved  after the 12th TWG meeting, with consensus reached on the operational  details for reopening transportation links between Azerbaijan and  Armenia.

"This agreement encompasses the steps required to reestablish and  manage railway connections along the Yeraskh-Julfa-Meghri-Horadiz  route. In our work, we proceed from the need to comply with the  principles of reciprocity, respect for the sovereignty and  jurisdiction of both countries," the spokesperson explained.

She emphasized that the success in unblocking transportation routes  will not only propel other trilateral initiatives, but also  contribute to the development of a peace treaty between Azerbaijan  and Armenia, the delineation of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, and  the initiation of dialogues between social activists and  parliamentarians.

Proposed by the Azerbaijani side, the Zangezur corridor aims to  establish a transportation link between Azerbaijan's mainland and its  exclave, Nakhchivan, passing through Armenian territory. This  corridor emerged as part of the trilateral statement signed by  Azerbaijani, Armenian, and Russian leaders following the 2020 second  Karabakh war.

One point of the agreement outlined Armenia's commitment to ensuring  the security of transport connections to Nakhchivan, facilitating the  unrestricted movement of people, vehicles, and goods in both  directions.

This route has great potential and could become one of the  continuations of the "One Belt - One Road" project, as well as part  of the North-South corridor.