Bayramov: Proposal to open communications with Armenia came from Azerbaijan

The proposal to open communications with Armenia was put forward by Azerbaijan, not the Armenian side, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov told a panel discussion "Challenges and Opportunities for Regional Cooperation in the South Caucasus" held as part of the Antalya Diplomatic Forum, Report informs.

Bayramov noted that the issue of opening communications was reflected in the trilateral declaration signed by the leaders of Azerbaijan, Russia and Armenia in November 2020.

"There is a joint statement about opening communication between the two countries, as well as a specific mention of unimpeded access from the western borders of Azerbaijan to the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic," the foreign minister said.

He recalled that even in the Soviet period, there was a railway connecting the entire territory of Azerbaijan: "This road was part of the Azerbaijani railway system back in Soviet times. During the negotiations since January 2021 - the active phase of which, as is known, lasted until 2023 - we have repeatedly made proposals to resolve the situation." However, according to Bayramov, despite Azerbaijan's constructive approach, every time Baku proposed solutions based on the 2020 agreements, they were questioned.