The lifting of the blockade of Armenia is important for the development of the entire South Caucasus; only Russia’s presence in this process can ensure a balance of interests, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk said in an interview with TASS.
“It is important to understand that the lifting of the blockade of Armenia, the opening of convenient transport links between the two parts of Azerbaijan, and the restoration of the Meghri section are important for the peaceful development of the entire South Caucasus. Without this road, there will be no peace there, but it can only be built taking into account the balance of interests of all countries in the region, and only Russia’s presence can ensure this,” he noted.
“If we put aside the factor of close relations between Azerbaijan and Turkey, which, of course, we cannot, the only thing that can direct the flow of goods through Armenia is competition,” Overchuk continued.
“For this to happen, there must be convenient and low tariffs, service, and fast border crossings, and then there may be an opportunity for people to travel there. But competition is a separate issue,” he said.
According to the Deputy Prime Minister, in addition to Turkish railways, Armenian railways will always be in direct competition with the existing Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway, which is being modernized.
“In Iran, the construction of a modern highway parallel to the ‘Trump route’ is nearing completion. Moreover, the construction of a railway from Azerbaijan to Nakhichevan through Iranian territory, parallel to the Meghri section, is being discussed,” he added.
“According to international experts, Chinese and Russian cargo will most likely be transported through Iran, and not through US-controlled Armenian territory, which means that most of the cargo will probably not enter Armenia at all, even for those 42 kilometers,” Overchuk emphasized.
