Crossroads of Peace | |
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Overview | |
Status | Proposed |
Locale | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
The Crossroads of Peace [a] is a transportation project, proposed by the Armenian government in October 2023, which seeks to improve Armenia's links to neighboring Azerbaijan, Georgia, Iran and Turkey, [1] [2] [3] and to restore cooperation in the region and promote mutual understanding among nations. [4] Currently, due to the ongoing Turkish-Azeri blockade against Armenia, direct transit through the region is hampered.
The project has been positioned as complementary to the International North–South Transport Corridor. [5]
Principles of the Crossroads of Peace [6] [1] | |
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Principle #1 | All infrastructures, including roads, railways, airways, pipelines, cables, and electricity lines, operate under the sovereignty and jurisdiction of the countries through which they pass. |
Principle #2 | Each country, through its state institutions, in its territory ensures border, customs control and security of all the infrastructures, including the passage through its territory of vehicles, cargo, and people. |
Principle #3 | These infrastructures can be used for both international and domestic transportation. |
Principle #4 | All countries use all the infrastructures on the basis of reciprocity and equality. |
Armenia plans to restore the Soviet-era Yeraskh-Julfa-Meghri-Horadiz rail route, which would not only connect Armenia and Azerbaijan, but would also restore Armenia's railway connection with Iran and Russia. [7] With this project, Armenia could offer new logistic pathways linking the Caspian Sea to the Mediterranean and Black seas through Armenian territory. [8]
Armenian plans to establish a dry port and free-trade zone in Gyumri, featuring multi-modal air, rail and trucking facilities connected to warehouses and industrial parks. [9] Plans include a direct connection to rail transport and to the Gyumri Shirak International Airport. [10]