YEREVAN, April 7. /ARKA/. Russian President Vladimir Putin stressed the importance of unblocking transport links between Armenia and Azerbaijan, saying it is necessary for the development of Armenia as he received Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in Moscow today.
“The most important component is the possibility of restoring trade and economic ties and transport routes in the region so that Armenia has new opportunities for the development of the country. In my opinion, this is an extremely important thing,” Putin said during a live meeting.
Putin expressed hope that all these issues, and others related to the current situation and development prospects, will be discussed with Pashinyan during the talks and then at a working lunch.
On January 11, 2021, the Presidents of Russia and Azerbaijan Vladimir Putin and Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan signed a joint statement in Moscow aimed at developing the region and unblocking all transport communications.
They also set up a working group chaired by Mher Grigoryan (Armenia), Alexey Overchuk (Russia) and Shahin Mustafayev (Azerbaijan) to deal with the practical modalities of the initiative. It has already had several meetings. One of its tasks is to take stock of international treaties concluded within the CIS and with third countries on the implementation of transportation in the region and ensuring appropriate control.
The rail and road links between Azerbaijan’s exclave Nakhichevan and the rest of Azerbaijan are to pass through southeastern Armenian province of Syunik. Armenia is supposed for its part to use Azerbaijani territory as a transit route for cargo shipments to and from Russia.