On November 8, the Armenian government announced that a train loaded with Kazakh wheat had arrived in Armenia, passing through Kazakhstan, Russia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia. The train transported about 1,000 tons of grain.
Radar Armenia spoke to Sargis Khandanyan, Chairman of the NA Standing Committee on Foreign Relations and a member of the Communist Party of Armenia faction, on the topic.
-Is there any information on what other goods will be brought via the Azerbaijan-Georgia-Armenia route in the near future? Have any other countries expressed interest in operating the route above?
-I should note that the lifting of the ban on goods exported to Armenia did not apply only to wheat; Azerbaijan lifted it for all goods, and if there are goods that Armenia would be interested in importing from Russia or Central Asia via the same route, via Azerbaijani and Georgian railways, of course, we will be happy to do so. We have not received any indication from Azerbaijan that this only applies to wheat or goods from Kazakhstan and Russia. Azerbaijan is also interested in more cargo transportation by railways.
–The opposition raises the question of what confidence there is that Azerbaijan will remain faithful to the peace declaration, taking into account the experience of previous years.
-Armenia and Azerbaijan signed and ratified the regulations on the activities of the demarcation commissions last year. These regulations establish clear principles, which means they have the highest legal force in both countries. This is the first time they have signed such a document, which is the basis. The experience of demarcation has shown that what belongs to Armenia remains with us, and what belongs to Azerbaijan remains with it, and we should proceed with the same logic. I believe this is in Azerbaijan’s interests, because if communications are opened and our region becomes a more significant transit hub for international cargo transportation, then stability in our area, which roughly speaking, “gives a hand” to Azerbaijan as well.
