Iran expects Armenia to build alternative to road blocked by Azerbaijan

PanARMENIAN.Net - Iran expects Armenia to build an alternative road through Goris as soon as possible to replace the one recently blocked by the Azerbaijanis, the Ambassador of the Islamic Republic to Yerevan Abbas Badakhshan Zohouri said on Monday, September 20.

Zohouri reminded that after the 44-day war in Karabakh, a trilateral statement was signed by Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia, and although some sections of said road went under Azerbaijan's control, the sides did agree on the unhindered movement of transport along the road.

"Now, the Azerbaijani police and border guards deployed on some sections of the Goris-Kapan road have been stopping drivers transporting Iranian goods to Armenia for several days, and they are collecting money from Iranian drivers as customs duty. Azerbaijan charges road taxes for each entry and exit of foreign vehicles," the ambassador said.

According to him, the Iranian side, including the embassy, is making efforts to resolve the issue as soon as possible.

"Before that, we expect from the Armenian government that an alternative route to Syunik will be built as soon as possible. We are talking about the road through Tatev, so that Iranian drivers can transport cargo in safe conditions,” the ambassador said.

On September 12, the National Security Service of Armenia confirmed that the Azerbaijani police were stopping Iranian trucks on said road, checking their documents and inspecting the cargo. According to reports, Azerbaijanis also demand up to $250 from Iranian drivers. Azerbaijan's Interior Ministry, meanwhile, has confirmed the detention of Iranian drivers, accusing them of transporting goods to Stepanakert, Nagorno-Karabakh's capital.