The meeting between RA Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Russian President Vladimir Putin has started in the Kremlin.
The President of the Russian Federation emphasized that this is useful from the point of view of the development of regional economic relations; it creates an additional platform and opportunity for dialogue.
“We are grateful that you agreed to the presence of the President of Azerbaijan at this event. In any case, from the point of view of the development of regional economic ties, this is useful; it creates an additional platform and opportunity for dialogue.
“Regarding the sensitive issues related to the Karabakh settlement, Prime Minister Pashinyan and I once again discussed all this face to face. We will still have the opportunity to talk in a tripartite format about the issues of unblocking transport links. The questions are fundamental and sensitive. I am sure that if, in the end, despite all the difficulties, we solve these issues, then it will undoubtedly benefit both Armenia and Azerbaijan and not only the two countries but also the entire region because many states are interested. This will contribute to the normalization of relations in all directions, including politics, ensuring the safety of people living in this area,” said Vladimir Putin.
According to the Russian President, bilateral cooperation with Armenia in various fields continues to develop actively. He emphasized that the turnover of goods shows constant positive dynamics. Last year, it increased by more than 83 percent, reaching 5 billion dollars; in January-March of this year, it increased by another 1.5 billion. “If the process develops at this pace, we will surpass the previous year’s record,” said the Russian President.
The Prime Minister of Armenia reaffirmed that Armenia is interested in unblocking regional communications but under the condition of preserving Armenia’s sovereignty and jurisdiction.
“Today, we discussed issues related to unblocking regional communications in an operational mode. I want to reaffirm once again that Armenia is interested in this; we are ready to start clearing all transport and economic links and communications based on the sovereignty and jurisdiction of our country. I would like to confirm this position again if you don’t mind. I want to confirm that we are ready; both border services and customs services are prepared to ensure the typical passage of all means of transport, railways, in particular, through the territory of Armenia.
We expect that the Azerbaijani railway will also be open for the transportation of goods from the Republic of Armenia, railway trains through Nakhichevan, the Republic of Azerbaijan, for example, the Russian Federation, and the Islamic Republic of Iran. We expect that this issue will be resolved on a parity basis, as I said, based on the sovereignty and jurisdiction of the countries,” the Prime Minister said.
