Armenia discusses the issue of unblocking regional infrastructures exclusively in the context of the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and jurisdiction of the Republic of Armenia. Armenia has neither discussed nor is it discussing the delegation of control over its sovereign territory to any third party. In response to the questions of “Armenpress”, the Spokesperson for the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, Nazeli Baghdasaryan, stated the following.

Question: Speaking about the unblocking of regional transport infrastructures, the US Ambassador to Turkey spoke about the possibility of leasing a part of the sovereign territory of the Republic of Armenia by the US, through which, according to the Ambassador, the “Zangezur Corridor” will be implemented. How would you comment on this statement?

Answer: The nomenclature you mentioned is not acceptable to the Republic of Armenia. We have also repeatedly stated that Armenia is discussing the issue of unblocking regional infrastructures exclusively in the context of the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and jurisdiction of the Republic of Armenia. We cannot discuss any other logic. Regarding land leases, such an institution exists under the legislation of the Republic of Armenia only for agricultural lands on which agricultural activities are carried out. Therefore, the option mentioned by the US Ambassador is not possible.

Question: And maybe the US Ambassador meant outsourcing control of the road?

Answer: The Republic of Armenia has not discussed and is not discussing outsourcing control over its sovereign territory to any third party. No part of the territory of the Republic of Armenia can be outside the territorial integrity, sovereignty, and jurisdiction of the Republic of Armenia.

Earlier, US Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barak announced that the United States has proposed taking control of the planned transport corridor between Armenia and Azerbaijan, trying to advance the long-deadlocked diplomatic negotiations between the two Caucasian countries.