During a press conference on January 10, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan considered Turkey's recent announcement to lift the ban on bilateral air cargo transportation a long-awaited step.

"It is important that not only negotiations take place in relations between Armenia and Turkey but also concrete actions that will ensure the dynamics of these negotiations. It is also very important for the work of the special representatives [of the two countries]," the head of the Armenian government added.

Recalling his telephone conversation with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and meeting with him in Prague in 2022, the Armenian prime minister expressed confidence that dynamics are important in relations.

"I hope that the border [between Armenia and Turkey] will be opened for third-country nationals in the near future, and we also expect the border to be open for holders of diplomatic passports," he said.

According to Pashinyan, the latest developments in Armenian-Turkish relations are essential in terms of normalization between the two neighboring countries and in the context of serious changes in international supply chains.

"I think this region is becoming much more interesting in terms of international cargo transportation than before, acquiring great international importance. In this sense, of course, the opening of the border between Armenia and Turkey and the opening of the Armenian-Turkish railway acquire a much more global significance. I hope that we will have the opportunity to move along this path. I must also record the readiness of Armenia to restore the Yeraskh-Sadarak-Ordubad-Meghri-Horadiz railway. We are ready for this," Pashinyan said, noting that there is an interest in the implementation of road cargo transportation through the territory of Armenia.

According to him, the only thing that prevents all this is the constant talk of corridors in Azerbaijan. "We are ready to realize our vision of the Armenian crossroads." "We also understand that, due to circumstances known to you, there are global changes in international cargo transportation, logistics chains, and routes. These changes can be used for the benefit of stability and peace in the region, not vice versa," Pashinyan emphasized.

About recent controversial issues with Russia

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said a conversation is being held with Russia about the role and significance of its military presence in the republic's territory.

"Azerbaijan recently explained its destructive actions against Armenia to Western countries by claiming that Yerevan and Moscow are planning a joint aggression against Baku, which is why the Azerbaijani side is taking "preventive measures," the head of government added.

According to Pashinyan, Azerbaijan's arguments are absurd. "On the other hand, against the backdrop of the Ukrainian events, such narratives arouse a certain interest in the West," he said. "And the Armenian side draws the attention of Russian colleagues to this circumstance, stating that in the conditions of Russia’s silence, a curious situation is obtained - Russia’s military presence in Armenia not only does not guarantee the security of the latter but, on the contrary, creates threats for the republic," he emphasized.

About Union State of Russia and Belarus

Nikol Pashinyan said there had been no official proposals for Armenia to join the Union State of Russia and Belarus. "If you mean some kind of official proposal, then, of course, there was no such proposal and could not be. But the reality is not as simple as it seems. And sometimes, you need to take a deeper look, not so much at the text as at the context of the questions. And we must consider global issues," Pashinyan said.

According to him, Armenia's sovereignty, statehood, and independence are of absolute value. "Therefore, the republic's authorities consider it their duty to do everything to ensure the durability of Armenian statehood," the head of Armenia stated.

When asked if there was unofficial pressure on Yerevan in this matter, Pashinyan replied that first, one should understand what this means—to consider the intensified statements of some experts or unofficial contacts as such pressure.