Pashinyan Stands Firm on Armenian Sovereignty Over Transport Corridor Dispute at EEU Summit in Yerevan

The ongoing diplomatic tensions between Armenia and Russia escalated during a high-profile meeting in Yerevan today. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan hosted the heads of government from the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) member states, using the platform to voice his government’s position on a highly contentious issue: transport links between Armenia and Azerbaijan. 

This dispute centers around a proposed corridor that would connect Azerbaijan to the exclave, Nakhijevan, by passing through Armenia. Pashinyan, in his speech at the meeting, directly countered claims that Armenia had agreed to security measures involving third countries for the transport routes. He firmly stated, "All statements that Armenia allegedly agreed somewhere, in some document, that third countries should ensure the security of transport links in its territory are simply distortions of reality." He emphasized that Armenia remains committed to ensuring the safety of people, goods, and vehicles on its own land, reiterating that the country's sovereignty remains intact. 

Pashinyan made these remarks in the presence of Russia’s Prime Minister, Mikhail Mishustin, but the Russian leader chose not to respond to the comments. The matter of the transport corridor has caused a noticeable rift between Armenia and Russia, traditionally close allies.

The friction between the two nations began after a Russian-brokered ceasefire ended the 2020 war between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the Republic of Artsakh also known as Nagorno-Karabakh. A key sticking point has been Paragraph 9 of the ceasefire agreement, which states that Russian border guards would “control” the transit of goods, people, and vehicles through the Syunik province of Armenia, a crucial region bordering Iran.

However, the interpretation of this provision has caused disagreements. While Russian officials, including Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, interpret it as a mandate for Russian border oversight, Armenia sees it differently. Armenian officials argue that this clause does not allow Russia to take over or even intervene in Armenian border controls. For Yerevan, such control would infringe on Armenia’s sovereignty.

Pashinyan’s government remains firm in its stance, even after Lavrov accused Armenia last month of “sabotaging” plans to build a highway and railway linking Nakhijevan to the rest of Azerbaijan through Armenian territory. This accusation led to a war of words between the two countries, deepening the political divide.

Russia’s pursuit of the corridor has also sparked concern in neighboring Iran. Tehran has long feared that the creation of such a corridor could reduce its influence in the region and potentially cut off its common border with Armenia. In response, Iran’s Foreign Ministry issued a stern warning to Russia last month, cautioning against any efforts that could bring about "geopolitical changes" in the South Caucasus.

Notably, Iran’s First Vice President, Mohammad Reza Aref, attended the Eurasian Economic Union meeting and held private talks with Pashinyan. During the discussions, Pashinyan praised Iran’s consistent stance on protecting Armenia’s internationally recognized borders. Aref reaffirmed Iran’s opposition to the proposed Nakhijevan corridor, aligning Tehran more closely with Yerevan on this issue.

The Eurasian Economic Union meeting, which coincided with the political disputes, had a broader economic agenda. Leaders from the EEU countries have gathered in Yerevan to discuss cooperation across various sectors, including infrastructure, agricultural logistics, online trading platforms, and cross-border law enforcement practices. 

Mikhail Mishustin, who arrived in Yerevan to attend the plenary session, participated in both narrow and expanded discussions of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council. Although the transport corridor issue dominated the political discourse, the economic forum also highlighted the growing importance of economic integration among the EEU member states. Panel discussions on topics such as antitrust regulation in cross-border markets and the development of a unified electricity market within the EEU were held.