Armenia's Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has clarified who will be responsible for ensuring the security of the “Trump Route,'' to be created under the joint declaration signed by Armenia, Azerbaijan, and the United States.
Pashinyan emphasized that, within the framework of sovereignty, jurisdiction, and territorial integrity, security on Armenian territory will be ensured by Armenia, while Azerbaijan will be responsible for security on its own territory.
“Regarding business management models, I want to note the following. For example, Zvartnots Airport has its own security service. Companies have their own security services, banks have security services. I am sure the South Caucasus Railway will also have its own security service. However, the activities of these services in no way exceed and cannot exceed the authority of Armenia’s law enforcement bodies and state and local self-government institutions in general.”
“When we talk about security, we must understand what we mean. Jurisdiction, sovereignty and territorial integrity mean that only the laws of the Republic of Armenia apply within Armenian territory, and this is a very important fact,” the Prime Minister said.
He reaffirmed that investors and investment companies will be involved, and those companies may have their own security services similar to thousands of companies operating in Armenia today.
“However, this in no way limits the powers and activities of the Armenian police, the National Security Service and the judicial system.”
Addressing differences in Armenia’s and Azerbaijan’s approaches to mechanisms for lifting the blockade, Pashinyan noted that Armenia seeks to attract foreign investors, who are interested in business management models.
“Azerbaijan, perhaps because it does not face significant financial constraints, is less interested in this,” he explained.
He added that Azerbaijan has active railways, gas pipelines, and oil pipelines, while Armenia lacks such infrastructure.
“We don't have the ability to manage an oil pipeline because we haven’t had one. The United States and other potential partners have that ability. Even while building a school we face some problem, imagine what problems we will face building and managing an oil pipeline. That’s where the real challenges will begin, and when accusations start about commitments made and routes opened but promises unfulfilled.”
Pashinyan said Armenia can invite other investors, but those investors also require guarantees.
“For example, the involvement of the United States and the association with President Trump give investors a degree of confidence.”
“I assure you that, as a result, Armenia’s investment ratings will improve-they are already improving,” the Prime Minister concluded.
