Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan said Armenia has moved from a “survival agenda” to a “development agenda,” declaring that the country’s geographical position has fundamentally changed due to the establishment of peace with Azerbaijan and new regional connectivity initiatives.
Pashinyan made the remarks during the 3rd international Yerevan Dialogue International Forum attended by Emmanuel Macron, Armenian President Vahagn Khachaturyan, National Assembly Speaker Alen Simonyan, Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan, senior foreign guests and government officials.
In his speech, Pashinyan presented the Armenian government’s “Crossroads of Peace” initiative and the TRIPP project – Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity – aimed at reconnecting East and West through regional transport, energy and infrastructure links.
According to the prime minister, Armenia’s geographic reality has been transformed despite the country physically remaining in the same location.
“Previously, Armenia was viewed as a country located in a problematic region with difficult neighbors and existential risks. Today, Armenia’s geographical position can be described differently the shortest route connecting East and West passes through Armenia,” Pashinyan said.
He argued that this new perception creates significant economic and strategic opportunities for the country, particularly in transport, logistics, energy and investment.
Pashinyan said the TRIPP initiative primarily envisions the restoration of railway links between East and West through southern Armenia, while also including electricity transmission lines, oil and gas pipelines, and broader regional infrastructure projects.
The Armenian prime minister stressed that speed and efficiency in global transportation have become increasingly important in the modern economy, describing Armenia as potentially “the fastest route” between East and West.
“The shortest route means the fastest route,” he said, adding that this concept could become Armenia’s new investment brand.
Pashinyan also argued that Armenia now possesses “unlimited energy potential” due to the development of solar energy, despite lacking traditional oil and gas reserves.
He said the key factor behind Armenia’s transformation is the establishment of peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
“Today Armenia lives under conditions of peace, and peace has been established between Armenia and Azerbaijan,” Pashinyan stated, describing the absence of peace in previous years as the reason Armenia failed to recognize its strategic advantages.
The prime minister praised Emmanuel Macron for his role in supporting the peace process, particularly highlighting the October 6, 2022 Prague meeting initiated by Macron and former European Council President Charles Michel.
According to Pashinyan, that meeting marked a turning point when Armenia and Azerbaijan mutually recognized each other’s territorial integrity based on the Alma-Ata Declaration.
He also welcomed a declaration adopted by the European Union encouraging international investors to invest in Armenia, calling it evidence that peace in Armenia has gained international credibility.
Pashinyan said Armenia seeks to transform regional borders from dividing lines into instruments of cooperation and integration.
“It is impossible for the shortest East-West route to pass through Armenia without also passing through Azerbaijan and Turkey,” he said, emphasizing that regional peace and cooperation would benefit all countries in the region.
The prime minister concluded by saying Armenia is moving from regional isolation toward international and regional integration and cooperation.
“I want to congratulate all citizens of Armenia on the change in Armenia’s geographical position,” Pashinyan said.
