Armenian PM Presents Ambitious "Crossroads of Peace" Project at Silk Road Conference in Tbilisi

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan of Armenia introduced his government's new initiative, the "Crossroads of Peace" project, during the Silk Road conference held in Tbilisi. Addressing regional stakeholders, Pashinyan highlighted the role of certain unused roads, railways, and maritime routes that have been inactive for three decades. Reviving these critical arteries, he asserted, would establish a direct link between the Caspian Sea and the Mediterranean, creating an efficient connection from the Gulf to the Black Sea and the ports of Georgia.

Pashinyan emphasized the project's potential to benefit all nations in the region, urging both governments and private investors to seize this transformative opportunity. The "Crossroads of Peace" project, he outlined, operates under several key principles:

1. Sovereignty and Jurisdiction: All infrastructures, encompassing roads, railways, airways, pipelines, cables, and power lines, function within the sovereignty and jurisdiction of the countries through which they traverse.

2. Border and Customs Control: Each country exercises border and customs control on its territory through its state institutions, ensuring the secure passage of vehicles, people, and goods.

3. International and Domestic Use: The infrastructure is designed for both international and domestic transportation purposes, fostering seamless connectivity within and between nations.

4. Equality and Reciprocity: All participating countries collaborate on the basis of equality and reciprocity, ensuring mutual benefit and fair utilization of the infrastructure.

Prime Minister Pashinyan affirmed Armenia's commitment to facilitating the opening, reopening, construction, and reconstruction of regional communications based on these fundamental principles. The "Crossroads of Peace" project not only promises enhanced connectivity but also fosters cooperation and mutual growth among nations in the region.