Following the initialing of the peace agreement text at the Washington Summit on August 8, significant positive steps have been taken between Azerbaijan and Armenia.
As an example, Azerbaijan's removal of restrictions on the transit of goods to Armenia can be cited. Yesterday, a grain-laden train traveled to Armenia via Azerbaijan.
This step has once again brought to the agenda the issue of opening land routes that remained closed due to quarantine.
In a statement to Modern.az, Milli Majlis deputy Hikmət Babaoğlu stated that there is no doubt that economic relations are an event that strengthens peace:
"We have reached a stage between Armenia and Azerbaijan where we must restore economic relations that create a basis for mutual trust and peace. Steps such as Azerbaijan's removal of restrictions on the transit of Kazakh grain to Armenia through our country serve regional peace. Integration also necessitates the removal of existing restrictions at land borders. This is necessary not only in the context of Azerbaijan-Armenia relations but also for the restoration of land border connections with other neighbors as a whole. The opening of land borders means the revitalization of the economy, cross-border trade, and an increase in welfare. There is a need for this. A decision can be made within an optimal timeframe to remove the restrictions placed on the opening of land routes for reasons known and unknown to us. It seems to me that such a decision should be made. Because ultimately, in all cases, the opening of land borders serves as one of the conditions for deepening cultural, tourism, and economic exchange and cooperation".
The deputy emphasized that the opening of land borders is a very necessary issue in the context of the Azerbaijani President's calls as a whole:
"Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev touched upon an interesting and very important issue at the 80th anniversary of ANAS. Those living beyond our borders are also Azerbaijanis, and they are worthy citizens of their countries. Indeed, Azerbaijanis living beyond our land borders, as well as the countries of which they are citizens, are interested in economic relations and tourism exchanges with Azerbaijan. This, in my opinion, is one of the main factors conditioning the opening of borders. I believe that the opening of land borders is a very necessary issue in the context of all these calls by the Azerbaijani President as a whole".
