"Crossroads of Peace" project in ot conflict with trilateral  statement of November 9, 2020 - Nikol Pashinyan 

ArmInfo.The "Crossroads of Peace" project does not contradict the trilateral statement of November 9, 2020 - the Republic of Armenia is the guarantor of the security of unblocking communications on the territory of the Republic of Armenia. This was stated by the Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan at the "Yerevan Dialogue" forum.

In this regard, he noted that the implementation of the RA  government's " Crossroads of Peace" project is hampered by the fact  that not all partners are inclined to take advantage of the  opportunities provided by the Armenian side. The reason for this, as  the Prime Minister noted, is the discussions about how much the  government's project fits into the logic of the trilateral statement  of November 9, 2020. In particular, the subject of discussion was the  issue that third parties should ensure the security of communications  in the territory of Armenia. "Such expectations have nothing to do  with reality," the head of government said. To substantiate his  words, he read out paragraph 9 of the trilateral statement of  November 9, 2020, which states that the Republic of Armenia  guarantees the security of transport communications in order to  organize the unhindered movement of vehicles and citizens through the  territory of Armenia from the territory of the western regions of  Azerbaijan in the direction of the Autonomous Republic of Nakhichevan  and in the opposite direction. <As you can see, the trilateral  statement also says that security is guaranteed by the Republic of  Armenia. It could not be otherwise, because it is illogical that  another country would ensure security in a sovereign state. Moreover,  there is no clause that would say that Armenia's jurisdiction on its  sovereign territory should be limited by violating customs,  phytosanitary, border control. Many are trying to present this as a  provision of the trilateral statement. This is a new diplomatic  technique, which is unacceptable and incomprehensible to me,"  Pashinyan emphasized.

He also drew attention to the fact that the partners of the  trilateral statement (Azerbaijan and Russia - ed.) have no right to  accuse Armenia of failing to implement the provisions of this  document, while the Armenian side can openly say that the latter, at  a minimum, have not fully fulfilled their obligations. In this  regard, the head of government pointed to point 7 of the trilateral  statement, which states that all displaced persons and refugees will  return to the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh and adjacent regions  under the control of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for  Refugees. Pashinyan recalled that not only did people not return to  their homes, but Nagorno-Karabakh was completely de-Armenianized  through ethnic cleansing. The Prime Minister also pointed to point 8  of the trilateral statement, which states that all Armenian prisoners  and other persons held in Azerbaijan, as well as the bodies of  military personnel, must be returned to Armenia, which has also not  been fulfilled to this day.

Explaining the reasons for torpedoing the Crossroads of Peace  project, he noted that the latter envisages not only unblocking  transport communications between Armenia and Azerbaijan, as well as  all possible power lines, cables, gas pipelines, but it is expected  that relations with Turkey will also develop in a similar way.  "Of  course, the Crossroads of Peace is also important for us because we  will be able to have a railway connection with Iran, with whom  relations are very important for us. With the project, we will be  able to have a railway connection with Europe, Russia, and Azerbaijan  will receive a railway connection with Turkey and Iran through the  territory of Armenia. And, of course, railway and automobile  communication between Nakhchivan and Azerbaijan through the territory  of Armenia are of great importance here. And we are ready to provide  such a connection," the prime minister explained. At the same time,  he drew attention to the fact that Nakhchivan is not deprived of  transport communications, because Nakhchivan has the opportunity to  establish communications with the world through both Iran and Turkey.