Armenia interested in unblocking regional communications, guarantees secure cargo transportation - Pashinyan

YEREVAN. Oct 24 (Interfax) - Armenia will provide full security of cargo, vehicles and passengers traveling from Azerbaijan through its territory, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said.

"I would like to stress yet again that the Republic of Armenia can and will ensure full security of cargo, resources, vehicles and passengers traveling through its territory. This is our aspiration and obligation, and we guarantee it now and forever," Pashinyan said at the Outreach/BRICS+ meeting.

He presented the Crossroads of Peace transport and communication project announced by the Armenian government.

"The essence of this project is that Armenia is ready for and interested in organizing transit of vehicles, cargo, passengers, pipelines and cables through its territory. This is the shortest route between the Black Sea and the Persian Gulf through territories of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Republic of Armenia and Georgia (from the north to the south), and the shortest route between the Caspian Sea and the Marmara Sea through territories of the Azerbaijani Republic, the Republic of Armenia, and Turkey (from the east to the west)," Pashinyan said.

Naturally, the route can also be used for transportation and communications between the Azerbaijani Republic and the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, he said.

"Given this approach, we have offered Azerbaijan the mechanisms of fast-track border and customs control, as well as additional security mechanisms with due account of jurisdictions and full respect for the sovereignty of both countries," Pashinyan said.

"Any claims of Armenia's alleged agreement to the provision of security of communications on its sovereign territory by a third country or any document envisaging such a situation are untrue," he said.