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Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan delivered remarks at the ministerial session of the 3+3 regional consultative platform in Istanbul on Friday. His statement is provided below.

"Armenia attaches great importance to regional consultations and engagements. Continuous and sincere dialogue, fostering people-to-people contacts, revitalizing trade and economic ties as well as ensuring inclusiveness in regional initiatives and projects are essential prerequisites for overcoming existing contradictions and achieving better cooperation, development and prosperity of our countries.

We strongly believe that responsible approaches and constructive efforts of all regional actors to this end at the same time will largely contribute to achieving peace and stability in the region.

Dear colleagues,

As a long-standing advocate for inclusive and equitable transport connectivity to promote trade and cooperation, Armenia is sincerely interested in unblocking all economic and transport communications in our region. Our vision of enhanced regional connectivity is clearly reflected in the "Crossroads of Peace" initiative, which was introduced by the Prime Minister of Armenia one year ago.

The key essence of this project is to develop communications among all countries in the region and beyond through the renovation, construction and operation of roads, railways, pipelines, cables, and electricity lines. Four principles are essential for the implementation of this project: respect for the sovereignty and jurisdiction of all states, as well as equality and reciprocity. When implemented, the “Crossroads of Peace” could become an integral part of global logistic routes, ensuring greater speed and efficiency in the passage of goods.

I am glad to stress that this initiative has been welcomed by many of our partners, and Iran was among the first ones. Having a mutual commitment to extend our trade and connectivity, Armenia is taking active practical steps for the construction of the North-South highway, assessing the advantages of using the Chabahar port as well as working to reciprocally reduce road fees between our countries.

While enhancing the capabilities for our border services and customs control with neighbors, Armenian Borderguard service is to fully overtake the operation on the Armenia-Iran border checkpoint from January 1, 2025. And in this regard, I would like to express my gratitude to the relevant authorities of the Russian Federation for their assistance and service throughout these years.

Dear colleagues,

I am also delighted to share that based on the joint assessment of the bridge between Armenia and Turkiye, Armenia has already finalized the construction and technical equipment of the Margara border checkpoint on the Armenia-Türkiye border. Additionally, Armenia and Türkiye have already agreed to jointly assess the technical requirements for the border crossing by the Gyumri-Kars railway. This comes to complement already implemented decisions on the establishment of direct flights between Armenia and Turkiye and reciprocally lifting bans for air cargo trade.

The operation of the Gyumri-Kars railway between Armenia and Türkiye, along with the railway connection between Armenia and Azerbaijan, will immediately provide an effective link between the Persian Gulf, the Black Sea, the Caspian Sea, and the Mediterranean.

With this vision in mind, as you are all aware, we have proposed to Azerbaijan modalities of relaunching our rail infrastructure, simplifying border crossing and customs procedures and ensuring some additional security mechanisms with full respect for the sovereignty and jurisdiction of both countries.

In conclusion, I would like to reiterate that Armenia is sincerely interested and has already demonstrated numerously its commitment to contributing to the development of regional connectivity and strengthening interdependencies with its neighbors based on the principles of the UN Charter, particularly sovereignty, territorial integrity, inviolability of internationally recognized borders and political independence."