Pashinyan thanks Putin for facilitating Yerevan-Baku peace process

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan expressed gratitude to Russian President Vladimir Putin for supporting the peace process between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

During their meeting on the sidelines of an informal CIS summit in St. Petersburg on Monday, Putin stressed the development of Russia-Armenia bilateral relations, noting promising plans, including nuclear energy.

According to the Russian leader, the same applies to logistics: during the last meeting with Pashinyan, he raised questions about various areas where they could work together, including the restoration of old routes and the creation of new ones that would "open up Armenia’s borders".

The Armenian PM noted that significant positive developments are occurring in the South Caucasus.

"I would like to thank you for your support of the peace process between Armenia and Azerbaijan. As we discussed following our telephone conversation after August 8, the achieved peace will open new opportunities for the further development of bilateral relations between Armenia and Russia. This has already happened, as trains are now arriving from Russia to Armenia via the territory of Azerbaijan, which I believe is truly a historic event," Pashinyan said.

Pashinyan expressed confidence that peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan has already been achieved, as trains from Russia now travel to Armenia through Azerbaijani territory.

He noted that new opportunities are emerging, including the restoration of some other railway sections in Armenia.

"Specifically, I am referring to the sectors of Ijevan, Yeraskh, and Akhuryan – these are railways connecting Armenia with the territory of Azerbaijan, with the mainland of Azerbaijan, with Nakhchivan, and with Turkiye," Pashinyan said.

The PM recalled that the talks with Washington on the construction of the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) are very constructive.

According to him, the changes taking place in the region are truly significant and substantive.

"There are also many nuances here concerning our bilateral relations with the Russian Federation. Today, I think, is a very good occasion to discuss all these issues," Pashinyan said.