Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, speaking during a Q&A session after his address at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), dismissed a question about differences between Armenia’s and Azerbaijan’s views on the so-called “Zangezur corridor.”
He stressed that such discourse “does not exist” and is absent from the Washington agreements. “No one has the right to give names to the sovereign territory of Armenia,” Pashinyan said, 1lurer.am reported.
“You use the expression ‘Zangezur corridor.’ Where have you read about it? Such a term does not exist, has never existed, and be assured it will never appear in any Armenia–Azerbaijan agreement,” he said.
He recalled his speech at the United Nations, noting that every expression there was rooted in the Washington agreements, and urged the use of exclusively legitimate terminology agreed upon by the sides.
Pashinyan stressed that if Azerbaijan refers to any part of Armenia’s territory as a “corridor,” this would constitute a gross violation of the principle of mutual recognition of sovereignty.
Turning to the MP who posed the question, he added: “I strongly condemn your use of illegitimate terminology in this authoritative chamber and institution.”
Pashinyan reiterated that in Washington the sides agreed to open regional transport links based on sovereignty, territorial integrity, and reciprocity. He recalled that Armenia will open routes for Azerbaijan, and Azerbaijan for Armenia, both for domestic and international communications.
He also mentioned that the Trump Route agreement was signed by the Azerbaijani president as well.
“Therefore, only names defined by the Armenian government, parliament, or relevant institutions, or agreed with Armenia, can be used regarding Armenian territory. Any other approach means violating Armenia’s sovereignty,” Pashinyan concluded.
