Armenia’s Armenpress news agency reports that Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan described the common economic interests of Armenia, Azerbaijan and other states as the most reliable guarantee for strengthening peace between the two neighbours.
According to Armenpress, Mirzoyan made the remarks during a debate in the Armenian parliament over a bill to ratify the Armenia-United States Strategic Partnership Framework Agreement, part of the TRIPP project. Responding to criticism from opposition lawmakers, the foreign minister said the document carried both economic and geopolitical significance.
The diplomat said Armenia stands to gain from the deal through a north-south railway link, trade ties with Azerbaijan, and access to markets in other countries via Azerbaijani territory. Armenpress quoted Mirzoyan as saying: “At least in terms of railway lines, this step will connect Armenia’s northern regions with the south, giving the country the opportunity to trade with Azerbaijan and also to reach other states through its territory.”
As an example, the minister pointed to the possibility of a shorter route for freight shipments between Armenia and China. He added that under the TRIPP initiative, the main financial burden would fall on Armenia’s American partners.
Mirzoyan: shared interest is the guarantee of peace
Addressing questions about guarantees for peace, Mirzoyan said that signed agreements alone have never fully prevented wars. In his view, conditions must be created in which Armenia, Azerbaijan and other states have a direct stake in keeping communication lines running without interruption.
According to the agency, Mirzoyan stressed that a genuine guarantee stems from mutual interest — both Armenia and Azerbaijan must have a stake in it, and the same logic should apply to other countries benefiting from the East-West transport corridor. He also rejected claims that TRIPP would serve only Azerbaijan’s interests while ignoring Armenia’s, posing the question of whether the link could be halted if a train reaching Nakhchivan from Azerbaijan did not continue on to Armenia and one side’s interests were violated.
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