Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan, speaking at the 49th meeting of the BSEC Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs on December 19, outlined specific steps toward developing regional transportation links.
According to Mirzoyan, Yerevan has already reached an agreement with Ankara to conduct a joint technical assessment for reopening the Gyumri-Kars railway route. Simultaneously, Armenia has sent proposals to Azerbaijan on resuming railway connections, including mechanisms for simplified border control, customs procedures, and security assurances, the minister stated.
Mirzoyan highlighted the Armenian government’s “Crossroads of Peace” project, designed to link the Persian Gulf with the Black and Caspian Seas. “This initiative, which has already garnered support from international partners, aims to integrate the region into global transportation networks,” he noted.
In November, a technical meeting between Armenian and Turkish representatives took place to discuss the needs assessment for reopening the Akhuryan-Akyaka railway crossing. Ruben Rubinyan, Armenia’s special envoy for normalization with Turkey and Deputy Speaker of Parliament, reported that while no political agreements were reached for launching the railway connection, the discussions on technical issues were constructive.
Meanwhile, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced that written proposals for resuming railway operations had been sent to Azerbaijan. According to him, once a positive response is received from Baku, the parties can promptly sign an agreement and begin construction work.
The unblocking of transportation links is seen as a cornerstone for normalizing Armenia’s relations with its neighbors and enhancing regional connectivity in the South Caucasus.
