The deputy prime ministers of Armenia, Russia and Azerbaijan met in Moscow on June 2 to discuss practical steps to unblock transportation arteries between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

The issue was the focus of the May 25 meeting in Moscow between Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev hosted by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The three deputy prime ministers head a working group tasked with reopening transportation links in the south Caucasus.

A statement released by the Armenian government says a common understanding was reached on June 2 regarding the implementation of concrete steps towards the restoration and organization of railway travel on the Yeraskh-Julfa-Meghri-Horadiz route.

Armenia has always argued that any road or rail links connecting Azerbaijan and its Nakhichevan exclave through Armenia’s Syunik province must not compromise Armenian sovereignty and control over those links.

Photo: Armenian Deputy PM Mher Grigoryan