Armenia and Azerbaijan have agreed to reopen transport connections, including railways and roads, marking a rare step forward in efforts to normalise ties despite lingering disputes, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan said.
Speaking at the Warsaw Security Forum in an interview with Polish broadcaster TVP World, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan confirmed that Yerevan and Baku had reached an understanding to reopen transport communications between the two countries.
“This applies to all infrastructure,” Mirzoyan said. “For example, Armenia will gain access to the Azerbaijani railway system, and Azerbaijan to the Armenian railway system, and later also to roads and other infrastructure. We can use each other’s infrastructure just like ordinary neighbours do, for instance in Europe or elsewhere.”
According to him, the shortest link between mainland Azerbaijan and Nakhchivan will serve as a transit route, while Armenia could use Nakhchivan’s territory to connect its north and south with a railway, which does not currently exist.
Reciprocity and pending conditions
Mirzoyan stressed that all arrangements would be based on reciprocity. However, he said Azerbaijan was introducing additional conditions that Armenia did not accept.
“The peace treaty text was finalised back in March and is now initialled. We are ready to sign it as soon as possible, although the Azerbaijani side is setting additional conditions we do not agree with,” he said.
Despite the lack of a formal signature, the minister noted that cooperation was advancing, including joint initiatives within international organisations. Both countries have also formally requested the closure of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, OSCE’s Minsk Process, signalling a new phase in their relations.
Progress on the border and security
The Armenian foreign minister reported that 12 kilometres of the border have already been demarcated, easing tensions in border villages.
“In Armenian border villages, people feel safer, new schools are being built, and life is improving,” Mirzoyan said.
Yet, he acknowledged that reconciliation faces challenges.
“The main challenge remains the psychological weight of decades of conflict - memories of bloodshed and mutual mistrust. Reconciliation will take time and requires daily effort. Aggressive rhetoric from either side does not help.”
Russia’s mixed signals
On relations with Moscow, Mirzoyan pointed to contradictions.
“Officially, Russian officials welcomed the Washington Declaration and expressed readiness to support the transport connectivity project,” he said.
“But at the same time, we see daily harsh criticism in Russian media, parliament, from experts and politicians, all directed at Armenia’s foreign policy,” he added.
He underlined that Armenia’s decisions should be respected by external powers.
“In any case, I am convinced that our Russian colleagues, as well as any other state or international actor, must respect the will of the Armenian people,” Mirzoyan said.
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