Armenian Foreign Minister:  Armenia can play a crucial role in the  chain connecting Europe, the South Caucasus, and Central Asia

ArmInfo. The Black Sea region has always been a crossroads of civilizations, trade, and  geopolitical interests, serving as an important link between Europe,  the South Caucasus, and Central Asia.

Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan made this statement during  his speech at the Ministerial Meeting "Cross-Regional Security and  Connectivity," organized by the European Union. Discussions focused  on issues of security, stability, and resilience in the Black Sea  region.

He expressed confidence that the enhanced interaction between Europe,  Central Asia, and the South Caucasus can foster connectivity and  sustainable development, and mutually beneficial partnerships,  significantly changing the region's geopolitical and economic  landscape. Mirzoyan added that these are not just words or an  ambitious vision, but a pressing imperative. 

"In this context, we, of course, recognize that the realization of  this vision requires peace and stability.  While the broader Black  Sea faces profound challenges, primarily due to the war in Ukraine,  with its immense human suffering, the South Caucasus has recently  embarked on a journey toward lasting peace.  On August 8, 2025, a  historic step was taken in Washington, DC, where the leaders of  Armenia, Azerbaijan and the US signed the already well-known Joint  Peace Declaration, and the Agreement on the Establishment of Peace  and Inter-State Relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan was  initialled by the Azerbaijani foreign minister and myself. Hence,  peace has been established, and the three leaders have expressed a  strong commitment to enhance it," the Armenian Foreign Minister  added. 

He expressed confidence that this lays a solid foundation for closing  the chapter of hostility, for opening a new era of good-neighborly  relations based on mutual respect, sovereignty, territorial  integrity, and inviolability of borders, consistent with the UN  Charter and the 1991 Alma-Ata Declaration.  Mirzoyan emphasized that  the path forward is a process requiring patience, care, addressing  practical issues, and building mutual trust.

"Armenia engages in good faith towards transforming the space of  confrontation into one of constructive engagement and cooperation,"  the Armenian diplomat continued. He acknowledged that being at the  crossroads, Armenia can play a crucial role in the chain connecting  Europe, the South Caucasus, and Central Asia. 

"The unblocking of transport communications between Armenia and  Azerbaijan, as agreed upon on August 8, will foster mutually  beneficial transport links - including Armenia's "Crossroads of  Peace" project and its integral part - the TRIPP route (Trump Route  for International Peace and Prosperity) in Armenia, all operating  under the full sovereignty, territorial integrity and jurisdiction of  states. By strengthening this chain, we can advance mutual trust,  interdependence and sustainable growth. As European Commission  president Ursula von der Leyen coined it at the EU-Central Asia  summit, "opening the borders of Armenia with Azerbaijan and Turkiye  will be a game-changer." This is also why we welcome the  establishment of the EU Coordination Platform on the Trans-Caspian  Transport Corridor, and Armenia stands ready to be an active and  constructive partner in its success, including via involvement of our  "Crossroads of Peace" project and TRIPP route in the EU's Global  Gateway," he believes. 

According to him, this new era of security and stability in the South  Caucasus is underpinned by Armenia's commitment to further enhancing  the country's resilience, and its partnership with the European Union  plays is central  in these efforts.  " We have added a robust  security dimension to the Armenia-EU bilateral agenda, moving our  relationship beyond political and economic cooperation into the realm  of strategic partnership," he continued.  Additionally, Mirzoyan  said, like many democratic countries, Armenia is confronting a surge  in hybrid threats, particularly Foreign Information Manipulation and  Interference. " These are not random acts of disruption. These are  targeted, systematic, hostile campaigns designed to achieve specific  goals, including undermining our sovereignty and trust in democratic  institutions, and sabotaging the aspirations for cooperation and  like-minded partnerships.  Countering this requires robust,  trust-based cooperation among states that share a commitment to  fundamental principles and norms of international law and democratic  way of life. In this endeavor, you can rely on Armenia as a  trustworthy partner," the Armenian Foreign Minister concluded.