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Armenia calls for global cooperation and connectivity with its Crossroads of Peace project

• By Newsdesk
• New Delhi
• Feb 23, 2024

News

In today's world with rapidly changing geopolitical landscapes, the Republic of Armenia, in order to rebuild new cooperation with its neighbours and international partners, has initiated ‘The Crossroads of Peace’ project. 

The Crossroads of Peace project aims to enhance communication and economic cooperation between Armenia, Turkey, Azerbaijan and Iran through infrastructure development, including roads, railways, pipelines, cables and electricity lines. 

Strengthening the global cooperation in the effect of renewed and effective multilateralism, the Crossroads of Peace project advocates for building peace through trust and technological innovation between Armenia and other partner nations. The project intends to prioritize sustainability, innovation and inclusivity not only for Armenia but for the entire global community.

By initiating the project, the Government of Armenia aims to present itself as a symbol of hope by fostering global cooperation, acknowledging the cost of crises, championing democracy and innovation, and promoting value-based economic cooperation.

A video released by the Armenian government on the Crossroads of Peace project details how Armenia is planning to establish connections between the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman, the Black Sea, the Caspian Sea and the Mediterranean Sea via a consolidated, regional railway network and via the North-South and East-West roads. 

"Open borders, unlocked infrastructures, active economic, political and cultural ties. These are the conditions necessary to establish long-term peace in our region. The Crossroads of Peace project is about creating new infrastructures or improving the scope and quality of the existing ones. Armenia is ready to establish five checkpoints on the Armenia-Azerbaijan borders for road infrastructures including in Kayan, Sotk, near Karahunj, near Angeghakot , and Yeraskh”, mentions the video. 

Armenia is also to establish two checkpoints on the Armenia-Turkiye border in Akhurik and Margara for road infrastructures. 

For better connection via the railway routes under the Crossroads of Peace project, the Armenian Government will restore four railway stations to ensure communications between Armenia, Azerbaijan and Turkiye. Furthermore, the Nrnadzor-Agarak railway section will also be restored and the checkpoints near the borders will be established. 

The project also includes a restored railway section from Yeraskh to the border of Nakhchivan with a checkpoint in Yeraskh. It also aims to restore the depleted parts of the railway from Gyumri to the border of Turkiye and to establish a checkpoint in Akhurik. Also, restoring the depleted parts of railway from Hrazdan to Kayan and to establish a checkpoint in Kayan is also in the pipeline. “This will create new links between all the countries of the region”, mentions the video. 

The video also highlights the principles of the Crossroads of Peace Project which include that all infrastructures, including roads, railways, airways, pipelines, cables and power lines, operate under the sovereignty and jurisdiction of the countries through which they pass. 

The second principle mentions that each country, through its state institutions, in its territory ensures border control, customs control and security of the infrastructures, including the passage through its territory of vehicles, cargo and people. 

The third principle states that all infrastructures can be used for both international and domestic transportation. And the fourth principle underlines that countries could use all the infrastructures on the basis of reciprocity and equality, and in accordance with these principles border and customs controls can be facilitated through mutual consent and agreement. 

“As missing sections of railways and roads are restored and infrastructures unlocked, it will become possible to establish a seamless connection between the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman, the Black Sea, the Caspian Sea and the Mediterranean Sea via a consolidated, regional railway network and via the North-South and East-West roads. The Government of the Republic of Armenia reaffirms its commitment to contribute its share to the region’s peace and stability, and to make practical measures to build the Crossroads of Peace," the Government of Armenia mentioned in the video.