Azerbaijan has officially removed all restrictions on the transit of goods to Armenia, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev announced on October 21 during the second session of the Azerbaijan-Kazakhstan Supreme Interstate Council in Astana.
“I should also mention that Azerbaijan has lifted all transit restrictions on goods to Armenia that had been in place. The first such transit shipment was Kazakh grain delivered to Armenia. I believe this is also a positive sign that peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia is no longer just on paper, but is being implemented in practice,” Aliyev said.
Aliyev also discussed the timeline for opening regional transport links, including the so-called “Zangezur Corridor.” During his speech in Astana, Aliyev said, “Work on establishing road and rail connections through Azerbaijani territory will be completed by the middle of next year. We hope that similar work in the territories of other countries will be carried out just as quickly. In that case, the opening of the ‘Zangezur Corridor’ could take place by the end of 2028.”
While Yerevan welcomed the move, Armenia reiterates that it rejects Azerbaijan’s “Zangezur Corridor” terminology and insists any east-west transit across Syunik occur strictly under Armenian sovereignty and jurisdiction. At the same time, Baku continues to set preconditions in peace talks, including publicly pressing for changes to Armenia’s Constitution tied to the 1990 Declaration of Independence, and continues to hold former Artsakh leaders hostage in Baku.
Responding to the announcement, Armenian Minister of Economy Gevorg Papoyan confirmed that the first shipment is expected to reach Armenia soon. “The first batch of Kazakh wheat will soon enter Armenia via Aktau–Baku and then through Azerbaijani and Georgian railways. Peace has been established,” said Papoyan.
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s spokesperson, Nazeli Baghdasaryan, welcomed the decision, highlighting its regional significance: “The Republic of Armenia welcomes the statement by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan regarding the removal of restrictions on the transit of goods to Armenia.
This step is of great importance for the opening of regional communications, the strengthening of mutual trust, and the institutionalization of peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan, in line with the agreements reached in Washington,” she wrote on Facebook.
Deputy Prime Minister of Armenia Mher Grigoryan, who also chairs the Armenian governmental commission on border delimitation with Azerbaijan, welcomed Aliyev’s statement on lifting transit restrictions on goods to Armenia. In response to a question from Armenpress, Grigoryan praised the efforts of his Azerbaijani and Kazakh counterparts and the work carried out in this direction.
“Of course, I am pleased and welcome the decision of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan regarding the lifting of cargo transportation restrictions toward Armenia. This step is of great importance for the opening of regional communications, strengthening mutual trust, and advancing the peace agenda. I highly value the efforts of my Azerbaijani and Kazakh colleagues and the work accomplished in this regard,” Grigoryan said.
