"Yes" to communications, "No" to bypassing Armenia`s jurisdiction:  Pashinyan

ArmInfo. Yerevan is not against unhindered railway communication between Nakhichevan and the western part of Azerbaijan, as long as it doesn't bypass Armenia's jurisdiction, as stated by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan at a press  conference on January 31.  According to him, Yerevan had previously  proposed organizing railway freight communication from the western  regions of Azerbaijan to the Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic and in  the opposite direction through the territory of Armenia, specifically  through Meghri.

<Why through Meghri, because another railway between Armenia and  Azerbaijan in the Tavush region was so severely damaged by a  landslide on the Haghartsin section that restoring the railway on  this section requires very large investments. The cheapest and most  realistic option is the Meghri railway from the western regions of  Azerbaijan to Nakhichevan and back. Additionally, we have suggested a  railway connection from Yeraskh through the territory of Nakhichevan  to Meghri and back," the Prime Minister clarified. As Pashinyan  pointed out, Armenia should use these connections through the  territory of Azerbaijan for international trade or cargo  transportation, and Azerbaijan should also take advantage of the  connection through the territory of Armenia.  Given the current  situation and tensions in relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan,  the Armenian side believes that it is possible to start with cargo  transportation. Once the situation calms down, they can then consider  passenger transportation.

<We made this proposal and are waiting for a positive response from  Azerbaijan. To be very honest, and knowing the position of  Azerbaijan, I do not quite understand why they should reject it. We  have found a solution that takes into account the issues raised by  both sides. What it is called in Baku, may differ from what we call  it, it is a separate topic. What is important is the essence of the  matter,> Pashinyan said.  He noted that the proposal is acceptable  for the RA and fully complies with the principles voiced in the  "Crossroads of Peace" project. It also meets the expectations that  Azerbaijan's raises during the negotiations. "This is very important  because we are not against unhindered communication, but "unhindered"  does not mean bypassing the jurisdiction of the Republic of Armenia.  The modern world is working to ensure unhindered communications in  all directions, and we are ready for such decisions," Pashinyan  concluded.