Armenia interested in comprehensive peace agreement - Nikol Pashinyan

ArmInfo. Nothing new except for the general agenda of the Armenian-Azerbaijani negotiations during a short private conversation with President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev in Brussels, Armenian Premier Nikol Pashinyan told reporters. 

As regards the unblocking of regional rail and road communications,  he said that the issue should be dealt with part by part. First, the  task needs to be considered in terms of legal grounds. If the  re-opening of communications between Azerbaijan and Nakhichevan is in  question, it is considered in the context of re- opening of all the  regional road and rail communications, with Armenia to have  communications via Azerbaijan. All the regional actors` communication  interests should be considered, with both the North- South and  East-West ways to operate. Security must be guaranteed by means of,  for example, escort of cargoes. According to the premier, the  communications do not imply renouncing sovereignty - it is out of the  question. Armenia has repeatedly stated it has no intention to  consider the process in the context of the "corridor logic." 

Armenia is interested in signing a comprehensive peace agreement,  which proceeds from the opening of a new peace era for the entire  region. But such an agreement has its own subtle points - conditions  that will be agreed on by means of difficult negotiations. And each  side will certainly seek advantage. The negotiating table had better  not be a "conflict table" for the sides to move forward to a peaceful  agreement by seeking common interests.   

Mr Pashinyan said that at the Sochi meeting, in the context of  progress in the dialogue, the opposite side seemed to be giving such  signals. However, further developments suggested that "there must  have been a misunderstanding." But the situation appeared improved  following the Brussels meeting. Armenia`s premier thanked the leaders  of France and the EU for organizing the meetings, as well as Russian  President Vladimir Putin for his efforts at a peace process and a  meeting in Sochi. The negotiations enable the sides to come closer to  practical issues, which is now at the "probing" stage.  Mr Pashinyan  does not rule out his contracts with the Azerbaijani president the  informal CIS Summit in Saint Petersburg, where he will be present if  officially invited. He noted that Armenia will state its position on  Azerbaijan`s possible admission to the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU)  when that state clearly shows its constructive position on the  establishment of regional peace, re-opening of communications and  Artsakh problem. 

Speaking of relations with Turkey, Armenia`s premier said that it is  a rather complicated and painful issue.  No special reasons for  optimism now nor any great expectations should be held, he said.  However, Mr Pashinyan highlights the importance of moving forward to  the re-opening of the border and rail communications. In this  context, he highlights the commencement of Armenian-Turkish  consultations and appointment of negotiators. Asked about the  Armenian negotiator Ruben Rubinyan, who is not an experienced  diplomat, the premier stated that Mr Rubinyan will be supported by a  serious and extensively experienced team.  Armenia`s premier does not  rule out a meeting with the Turkish president, which will be a  necessity in case the negotiators` work proves successful. In this  context, Mr Pashinyan stressed that the recognition of the Armenian  Genocide is not being removed from the agenda. As regards Turkey,  Armenia has never raised the issue of the Armenian Genocide as a  precondition for rapprochement.  Elaborating on the regional  developments, and the Russia-proposed new format, 3+3, Armenia`s  premier said it could facilitate the accomplishment of the regional  states` common tasks through regular meetings.  This regional  platform will enable the states to both defend their own interests  and accomplish regional tasks.