Speaking at the Crossroads of Peace forum in Brussels, organized by the Rasmussen Global consultancy, Armenian Security Council Secretary Armen Grigoryan presented Armenia’s vision for peace and cooperation in the South Caucasus. He announced that representatives of Armenia’s civil society will soon make a visit to Azerbaijan, following an October visit of Azerbaijani civil society members to Armenia.
“Crossroads of Peace is not merely an infrastructure initiative for Armenia. It’s a vision of interconnectedness, interdependence, and cooperation both within the region and beyond its borders,” he said.
Grigoryan recalled the August 8, 2025, joint declaration signed by the leaders of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and the United States, describing it as a milestone that laid the foundation for peace and prosperity in the region and marked a decisive step toward opening up the South Caucasus.
He stressed that efforts since then have focused on strengthening achieved progress and deepening dialogue, including civil society exchanges and the visit by Armenia’s National Security Service head to Baku for a security forum.
“These visits and exchanges strengthen mutual trust and understanding between our societies, while consolidating peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan,” Grigoryan said.
He highlighted that regional unblocking is key to institutionalizing peace, describing Armenia’s “Crossroads of Peace” initiative as a network of roads, railways, energy corridors, and digital infrastructure. He also referenced the TRIPP initiative, signed with the U.S., as a key component promoting trade and innovation.
According to analysis by the Amberd Research Institute, new trade routes via Armenia could reduce the Europe-China transit corridor by 5–10%. He said Armenia’s economy, particularly in tech and tourism, is already seeing results: the country registered a 10.5% growth in economic activity in September and a 19% increase in tourist arrivals in June, linked to the March 14 announcement of the completion of peace treaty talks with Azerbaijan.
He also emphasized that Armenia is ready to normalize relations with Turkey, having taken preparatory steps for border opening. The Amberd Institute predicts this would increase Armenia-Turkey trade turnover by up to 200%, and cut trade routes to Eastern and Central Europe by up to 25% and 15%, respectively.
Grigoryan concluded that the Crossroads of Peace is not only a transport program but a political message: dialogue brings results, cooperation is possible, and regional security can be built through joint development.
