Azerbaijan Lifts All Restrictions on Cargo Transit to Armenia

Azerbaijan has lifted all restrictions on cargo transit to Armenia. This was announced today by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in Astana during a press statement with Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

"I must also say that Azerbaijan has lifted all restrictions on cargo transit to Armenia, which had existed since the moment of occupation, and the first such transit cargo was a shipment of Kazakh grain to Armenia. I think that this is also a good indicator that peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia is no longer just on paper, but also in practice," the head of state said.

He also stressed that the TRIPP transport route "will definitely be implemented."

"As you know, one of the achievements of the Washington Summit in August is the TRIPP project (The Trump route for international peace and prosperity). President Trump gave his name to this project, which naturally suggests that this project will certainly be implemented. This opens up another route of the Middle Corridor. In addition to the traditional one, another one appears—through Zangazur, with a cargo turnover of 15 million tons, meeting the most modern standards. Thus, the volume of goods from Asia to Europe and back through the territories of our countries has the potential for growth on its own, but will also have even greater potential for receiving and sending," the head of state noted.

According to him, this route could become operational by 2028.

"On the territory of Azerbaijan, all work on road and rail connections will be completed by the middle of next year. We hope that this will be implemented at the same speed in the territories of other countries, and in that case, the opening of the Zangazur Corridor could occur by the end of 2028," the head of Azerbaijan said.

The Armenian government welcomed Aliyev's statements regarding the lifting of restrictions on cargo transit to Armenia. "The Republic of Armenia welcomes the statement by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan on the abolition of restrictions on cargo transit towards Armenia. This step is important for the opening of regional communications, strengthening mutual trust, and institutionalizing the peace established between Armenia and Azerbaijan—in accordance with the agreements reached in Washington," stated Nazeli Baghdasaryan, Press Secretary of the Prime Minister of Armenia.

There is currently no clarity on the transit route within Armenia; it is likely that for now, Kazakh cargo will travel from Azerbaijan to Armenia via Georgia.