BAKU, Azerbaijan, Feb.12
By Sadraddin Aghjayev – Trend:
The unblocking of all previous economic and transport links between Azerbaijan and Armenia will positively impact the activities of TRACECA in the framework of cargo shipments given the membership of both the countries to the organization, Rufat Bayramov, Permanent Representative of the Permanent Secretariat of the Intergovernmental Commission TRACECA, told Trend.
According to Bayramov, the transport route between the countries is notably shorter than the existing one (across Georgia).
He reminded that the railway line between Azerbaijan’s exclave Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic (AR) and its main part (the line passed through Armenia’s territory) had been existing in the USSR period.
"First of all, this will be a positive factor for Nakhchivan, because land supplies will be established, and freight traffic between Turkey and Central Asia will increase. Today, there is a great potential for transport links between these two regions. Opening of new jobs will be a positive factor for Azerbaijan, and also assistance in integration with TRACECA countries," emphasized the representative.
Besides, he noted, the opening of the land transport route will give Armenia access to foreign markets.
“Today, Armenia is actually in a transport blockade with the only opportunity to enter the main Russian market through the Upper Lars road section (Georgia),” pointed out Bayramov. “Due to the difficult mountainous terrain, the road this transport route doesn’t always function in winter, which increases the cost of cargo shipments. If there is a road through Azerbaijan, the Armenian side would be able to deliver its goods to the Russian market faster and cheaper."
He added that the opening of these routes will allow Azerbaijan to increase bilateral trade with Turkey.
"The routes will make it possible to carry out transport communication between Azerbaijan and Turkey within just five hours," Bayramov summed up.
The transport links between Armenia and Azerbaijan, as well as between Armenia and Turkey had been closed since the occupation of 20 percent of Azerbaijan's territories, including Zangilan and Gubadly districts (the closest ones to Nakhchivan AR), by Armenia.
Following the 44-day war (from late Sept. through early Nov.2020), a joint statement to end the war and open all previously closed transport communications was made by the Azerbaijani president, Armenia's PM, and the president of Russia.
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