The spokesperson for Armenia’s Prime Minister, Nazeli Baghdasaryan, clarified Yerevan’s position on regional transport routes, stressing that Armenia’s territorial integrity is non-negotiable, even though the business management of infrastructure such as railways or pipelines may be outsourced.
In a Facebook post, Baghdasaryan addressed recent media confusion over Armenia’s stance regarding unblocking transport corridors in the South Caucasus. She attributed the contradictions in media reports to the complex legal terms often involved in such discussions, such as leasing, concession, or outsourcing.
“To assist media representatives in understanding the matter, I want to reiterate that the Republic of Armenia has never discussed, is not discussing, and will never discuss any options for transport routes crossing its territory that are incompatible with its territorial integrity, sovereignty, or jurisdiction,” she wrote.
She emphasized that, within the framework of sovereignty and jurisdiction, Armenia is open to discussing various models for operating regional transport links and is interested in reaching an agreement on one of the viable solutions.
Those Armenian officials who state that no discussions are taking place refer to models that conflict with the country's sovereignty, while those who acknowledge negotiations speak about frameworks compatible with national integrity and sovereignty, such as property rights and administrative arrangements—topics that Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan addressed in his July 16 press conference.
“Territorial integrity, sovereignty, and jurisdiction cannot be outsourced,” Baghdasaryan concluded. “However, business management of railways, pipelines, or power lines can be. In fact, road maintenance and management in Armenia have always been outsourced to private companies. The question is not whether they are outsourced, but how well they are managed. That’s a separate issue.”
Prime Minister Pashinyan, during a press conference, noted that many outsourcing models are being discussed with Azerbaijan, aimed at easing passage through regional routes. Yet no final agreement has been reached.
