Towards a new level of regional connectivity and peace

T he South Caucasus, which has been a unique territory of clash and convergence of civilizations, trade routes, and geopolitical interests throughout its centuries-long history, is once again facing a historically significant choice. With the emergence of newly independent Armenia, Georgia, and Azerbaijan as separate regional actors following the collapse of the Soviet Union, the region has become an arena of both new opportunities and complex challenges for Turkey. However, the potential of this region as a crucial hub connecting Europe to Asia, from North to South, has remained under-fulfilled for many decades due to the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict, caused by unresolved problems due to conflict, closed borders and a deep crisis of mutual trust, which hinder not only the economic development of the states of the region, but also the formation of a regional architecture of stability and security. 

The events of 2024-2025, particularly the statements about reaching an agreement in principle on a peace deal between Armenia and Azerbaijan, although inspiring some optimism, the difficulties of the final normalization of Armenian-Azerbaijan and Armenian-Turkish relations and the process of signing the agreement testify to the fragility of the situation. It is at this critical moment, that the issue of restoring and developing regional transport and economic links is acquiring not only purely infrastructural and economic importance but also political and peacekeeping significance, becoming one of the cornerstones of building mutual trust and sustainable peace.  

Turkey’s geopolitical and regional aspirations and the need to diversify channels

F or Turkey, as a state aspiring to a regional and global role, the normalization of relations with all South Caucasus countries, including Armenia, along with the opening of borders, the restoration and development of transport communications, is a major milestone in the implementation of its foreign policy. In this context, the launch of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway was undoubtedly a significant step, however, Turkey’s pursuit of alternative routes is driven by a range of fundamental strategic considerations.  

Above all, diversifying transport corridors guarantees stability and flexibility for any large economy, reducing dependence on a single route and mitigating potential political or logistical risks. Second, Turkey is actively seeking to strengthen its position as a key Eurasian transit hub by investing in initiatives such as the Middle Corridor and trying to maximize the advantages of its geopolitical position. Third, ensuring direct, effective and uninterrupted communication with Nakhichevan is of far-reaching importance for Turkey not only for deepening bilateral relations with Azerbaijan, but also for expanding its economic, political and cultural ties with the Turkic world of Central Asia. It is in this context that Turkey has announced the construction of a new 224-kilometer-long Kars-Igdir-Dilucu railway, which will take about five years and inevitably require huge financial investments. This is undoubtedly a large-scale project,  the realization of which, however, requires considerable time and financial resources.

Armenia’s Crossroads of Peace project: a balanced, mutually beneficial and peace-building approach 

I n this situation, Armenia’s Crossroads of Peace initiative looks not merely as a technical proposal, but as a comprehensive doctrine aimed at transforming regional relations. The Crossroads of Peace project, launched by the RA Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in October 2023, is a transport project proposed by the Government of Armenia to reactivate and rehabilitate all regional infrastructure, and, where necessary, to take initiatives to build and operate new infrastructure in the region. To implement the project, Armenia proposed to activate economic, political and cultural ties by opening the blocked infrastructure. This would allow Armenia to overcome the situation of functioning with blocked infrastructure since independence, having the opportunity to boost economic and infrastructural development of Armenia and to become part of large-scale global and regional projects. As part of the Crossroads of Peace project, Armenia expressed its readiness to establish five road infrastructure checkpoints along the Armenia-Azerbaijan border, near Kayan, Sotk, Karahunj, Angeghakot and Yeraskh, as well as two checkpoints on the Armenia-Turkey border, in Akhurik and Margara.

This constructive initiative creates great opportunities not only for Armenia, but also opens the door to a new chapter of mutually beneficial cooperation for other states in the region, including Turkey. In particular, it offers a practical, significantly faster and more cost-effective solution for achieving a range of economic and infrastructure outcomes identified by Turkey, while remaining grounded in international law and the principles of mutual respect for territorial integrity, sovereignty and shared economic benefit.

The Crossroads of Peace philosophy envisions the unblocking of all transport routes (rail, road, air, energy, and communication) between all countries in the region, based on the unconditional recognition of sovereignty, jurisdiction, and territorial integrity of each state. This means that each country retains full control over the infrastructure within its territory, applies its own legislation and customs regulations, and simultaneously provides simplified and efficient transit procedures based on the principle of reciprocity. This rights-based approach fundamentally differs from the ideas surrounding extraterritorial corridors, which are problematic from the perspective of international law and provoke regional tensions by offering a predictable, transparent, and legally sound framework for all actors, including Turkey.  

One of the key practical proposals of the Crossroads of Peace project is the reopening of the Soviet-era legacy railway network, which has functioned effectively for decades but is now idle. This is not nostalgia, but a cold, pragmatic calculation. The historical existence and operation of this network demonstrate its technical feasibility and economic viability. The artificial severing of these vital arteries has come to symbolize regional stagnation and isolation, while their restoration could mark the beginning of an era of normalization, integration and progress. From an economic and engineering standpoint, rehabilitating existing railway lines requires significantly less investment and time than constructing a new 224-kilometer line from scratch, especially given the often-challenging mountainous terrain, environmental concerns, and the inevitable costs and technical difficulties associated with them. In particular, to ensure the shortest and most efficient railway connection between Turkey, Nakhichevan and Azerbaijan, only two sections in Armenia need rehabilitation: the section from the Yeraskh junction to the Nakhichevan border (about 1km) and the section from Nrnadzor in Armenia’s southern Syunik region to Agarak (43 km), totaling around 44 kilometers.



Armenia not only declared but also initiated practical steps to restore these sections, reaffirming its readiness to assume full financing of these works and to ensure their implementation following international standards and within the shortest possible timeframe. From Turkey’s perspective, this effectively means that Ankara can avoid significant financial costs and delays, and instead, in a spirit of cooperation and constructiveness, gain quicker access to an alternative route of strategic importance. This is not only financial and time-saving, but also an important strategic advantage in a rapidly changing geopolitical environment. Azerbaijan’s continuation of construction work on the railway section from Horadiz to the Armenian border provides an additional basis for the early launch of the entire route if there is a political will.  

Specific confidence-building mechanisms and security guarantees

D ecades of mistrust and complex historical legacy have given rise to certain concerns, particularly regarding the safety and reliability of transit transport. It is to address these issues, that Armenia proposes concrete, transparent and legally enshrined confidence-building measures. In addition to explicitly respecting the principles of state sovereignty and jurisdiction, it is proposed to introduce a system of comprehensive guarantees for the safety and security of cargo (particularly Azerbaijani cargo) transported through Armenian territory, including full insurance coverage and international reinsurance. This will ensure the maximum protection of the interests of cargo owners in any unforeseen situation. 

It is planned to implement customs and border control procedures as efficiently as possible, using modern technologies such as touchless scanning and electronic document management, to minimize delays and reduce bureaucratic obstacles. Armenia is also open to discussing, based on reciprocity, the possibility of introducing joint monitoring, information exchange or other transparency mechanisms to further strengthen mutual trust. Particularly in this context, the RA Prime Minister, Nikol Pashinyan, noted in his recently published article: “Communication from western Azerbaijan to the Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic via the territory of the Republic of Armenia is a subtopic within the topic of regional communication channels, and Armenia has never posed an obstacle here, either. Moreover, we have been and remain utmost creative and flexible in this matter, too. In 2022, addressing Azerbaijan’s concerns, we proposed to outsource to an international specialized organization, based on the principle of reciprocity, the front function of citizen passport control and cargo customs and other controls during border crossing. Azerbaijan has not agreed. Now, taking into account Azerbaijan’s claim that due to the long-standing conflict, Azerbaijani citizens will avoid passing through the Republic of Armenia border and customs control, we have proposed in this phase to start the opening of communications from railway cargo transportation in the Zangelan-Meghri-Ordubad direction and back, and in the Yeraskh-Ordubad-Meghri direction and back. Moreover, we have proposed in writing an option that does not undermine the sovereignty, jurisdiction, and territorial integrity of either side. If Baku’s concern is to ensure reliable cargo transportation with Nakhichevan and back, that issue is resolved. All that remains is for Azerbaijan to say yes. The construction of the Nrnadzor-Karchevan railway in the territory of Armenia will take some time. Another short piece of the railway should also be built in the Yeraskh-Nakhichevan border section, but this is necessary for the Armenia-Armenia and Azerbaijan-Turkey railway connection, and this work can be performed quickly, too. With the same principle, we are ready to provide the transit of pipelines, electricity lines, and cables from Azerbaijan to Nakhichevan. It is unclear why these proposals are being rejected by Azerbaijan. I hope it is not for creating a false pretext for escalation.” Moreover, Armenia is ready to cooperate with Turkey during the railway construction stage, including holding tenders and carrying out construction work, while ensuring full transparency of the process and forming a true partnership.  

The economic benefits of reopening the rail network will not be limited solely to transit revenues. They will have a multiplier effect on the economies of all countries in the region. Imagine the uninterrupted flow of goods from the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman to the Black Sea, from Central Asia to Europe via the South Caucasus. This means: 

⦁ Drastic reduction in logistic costs: Railways, especially for long distances and volumes, provide relatively low transport costs. 

⦁ Increase in turnover: Reliable and accessible transport will facilitate both regional and international trade, opening up new markets for manufacturers.  
⦁ Strengthening the role of the region as a transit hub: This will increase the attractiveness of the South Caucasus in global logistics chains. 

⦁ Improvement of investment environment: A stable, interconnected and peaceful region with developed infrastructure will become incomparably more attractive for foreign direct investment. 

⦁ Creation of new jobs and development of local communities: Railway maintenance, logistic centers, trade and tourism will create new opportunities for the development of settlements along the railway.

Most importantly, economic interdependence and mutual benefit will be a powerful factor in sustainable peace, creating common interests and reducing incentives for renewed conflict.  

Thus, the South Caucasus stands at a crossroads. On the one hand, there is the prospect of continued past conflicts, mistrust and isolation. On the other hand, this is a historic opportunity to turn the page on hostility and work together to build a peaceful, prosperous and interconnected region. Today, Turkey faces a strategic choice. The choice is not just between two railway projects, but between two different visions for the future. One option is to undertake a lengthy, multi-billion-dollar, potentially isolated project with uncertain timelines and outcomes. The other option is to accept Armenia’s outstretched hand of cooperation and choose a path that is significantly faster, more cost-effective and invaluable for regional stability by rebuilding existing infrastructure. This second path would not only provide crucial connectivity for Turkey but also serve as a powerful step toward normalizing relations with Armenia and fostering lasting peace across the region.

Armenia has clearly expressed its readiness to move from words to action and to invest its efforts and resources in the implementation of this promising project. Now the ball is in the court of other regional players, including official Ankara. Seizing this historic opportunity and taking bold steps toward constructive cooperation could open a new era for all the peoples of the South Caucasus.