On September 26, at the 79th session of the UN General Assembly, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan presented the "Crossroads of Peace" project developed by the Government of Armenia, aimed at promoting regional development in the South Caucasus.
According to Pashinyan, the project seeks not only to open transportation links between Armenia and Azerbaijan but also to foster connections between Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkey, and the entire region. The initiative envisions the creation of opportunities for laying pipelines and cables, as well as facilitating people-to-people contacts, which are crucial for building peace.
The Prime Minister emphasized that the implementation of the project will respect the sovereignty, jurisdiction, and territorial integrity of countries based on the principles of equality and reciprocity. Armenia is ready to open its transport routes to Azerbaijan, Turkey, and other neighboring countries and partners "even today."
Pashinyan noted that the "Crossroads of Peace" could become part of the Middle Corridor, enhancing the speed and efficiency of freight transportation. He assured that the Republic of Armenia is fully prepared to ensure the safety of cargo, vehicles, and people passing through its territory.
The Prime Minister also dismissed claims that Armenia had allegedly agreed to third-party security guarantees for transport routes on its territory, calling such statements a "distortion of reality." "Armenia's commitment is clear: to guarantee the safety of cargo, vehicles, and people within its territory, and we will ensure that," Pashinyan stated.
Earlier, BMG reported that in late October 2023, Armenia presented the "Crossroads of Peace" project, which essentially is the Armenian version of a project aimed at unlocking communications in the region after the 44-day war. From Yerevan's point of view, this is one of the components of the process of establishing a durable peace in the South Caucasus, and if implemented, it could change Armenia's status, helping it to emerge from isolation and become a logistical hub in the region.
