Armenia is ready to sign a peace agreement with Azerbaijan, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated at the plenary session of the 16th BRICS Summit. According to him, the two sides have fully agreed on the wording regarding mutual recognition of territorial integrity, the absence of territorial claims, and a commitment not to make such claims in the future.
"We propose to Azerbaijan that we sign a peace treaty now, one that will resolve all fundamental issues and create a solid foundation for peace and the normalization of relations," Pashinyan emphasized.
In his address, the Armenian Prime Minister also discussed the government’s proposed "Crossroads of Peace" project, noting that if implemented, Armenia could ensure the secure transit of goods through its territory.
"Any claims that Armenia has allegedly agreed to the involvement of a third country in ensuring the security of communications on its sovereign territory, or that such an agreement is documented, are not true," Pashinyan stated.
According to the Prime Minister, the essence of the project is that Armenia is ready and interested in facilitating the passage of vehicles, goods, passengers, pipelines, and cable lines through its territory.
"This is the shortest route between the Black Sea and the Persian Gulf, passing through the territories of Iran, Armenia, and Georgia, as well as the shortest route between the Caspian and Marmara Seas, through the territories of Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Turkey," Pashinyan noted.
In this context, he considered it natural that this route could also be used for transport and communication links between the Republic of Azerbaijan and Nakhichevan.
"Taking this approach into account, we have proposed to Azerbaijan simplified border and customs control mechanisms, along with additional security measures – respecting the jurisdiction and full sovereignty of both countries," he said.
