FM: Armenia positions as bridge between Europe, India

PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan, during the panel discussion at the Raisina Mediterranean 2025 conference, explained Armenia’s role in connectivity, regional initiatives, and global partnerships.

He stated that when it comes to logistics, Armenia’s solution is first and foremost the Crossroads of Peace.

He noted that Armenia welcomes the newly established strategic partnership between France and India, underlining that Armenia maintains similar relations with both France and India.

Located in the Southeast Caucasus between Europe and India, Armenia acts as a vital land route role, seen as a faster, safer alternative to occasionally slow maritime paths—thanks to its geography.

Armenia borders Georgia, Iran, Azerbaijan, and Turkey.

“We have excellent ties with Georgia and Iran, and we strive to resolve relations with Azerbaijan and Turkey—with the understanding that we are preparing to open borders, establish rail links, and have even given this infrastructure project a concrete name: Crossroads of Peace. Thus, we aim to create an environment of peace and prosperity around Armenia benefiting not only Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Georgia, and Iran, but also the wider region. To connect India and France, one must pay close attention to everything in between. There is space and an environment to rest, recharge, then continue the journey,” he explained.

Asked whether Armenia is being seen as a future technological hub, Mirzoyan confirmed that visible steps are being taken in IT. He emphasized the availability of human resources and electricity supply essential for data centers and tech infrastructure.

He highlighted that just two days ago, a major artificial‑intelligence project was launched in Armenia with French MISTRA, NVIDIA, and other partners—indicating that Armenia can fully become a secure and reliable hub in AI and IT.

Addressing broader connectivity prospects, including digital and knowledge links, Mirzoyan emphasized that some routes, no matter how economically efficient, become unfeasible due to political reasons. He referred to Europe refusing energy cooperation with Russia, and India avoiding the cheapest routes for geopolitical reasons. In that context, India and Europe’s mutual outreach is driven not only by economy but also by geopolitical and value-based motivations.

He underlined that Armenia—though not an EU or Indian member—recognizes these deeper motivations and is ready to support the formation of a more equitable global order. He argued that such cooperation should be built on shared values such as democracy and stability.

According to Mirzoyan, the Crossroads of Peace is Armenia’s answer to geopolitical shocks, logistical challenges, and innovation opportunities.

Concluding his remarks, he stressed that via the “Peace Crossroads,” Armenia proposes the integration of West–East and North–South corridors, while aiming to become a technological and AI hub.

“The Armenian solution, the Armenian answer, foremost when it comes to logistics, is the Crossroads of Peace. This is our route: West–East or East–West, North–South transit, which this program covers. And second: innovation, artificial intelligence, and large data centers. I already said that in that context Armenia is a secure destination,” he affirmed.

The government has developed and presented the Crossroads of Peace project, centered on developing communications—roads, railways, pipelines, cables, power lines—among Armenia, Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Iran through repair, construction, and launch. All infrastructure (roads, rail, air routes, pipelines, cables, power lines) will operate under the sovereignty and jurisdiction of the countries it passes through.