PanARMENIAN.Net – In his address to the 80th session of the UN General Assembly, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, reacting to statements by Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev, said that the phrase “Zangezur corridor” is perceived as a territorial claim on Armenia.
He emphasized that although the Washington Declaration has established peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan, serious challenges remain, and that the rhetoric of the Azerbaijani president conflicts with the logic of peace building, reports RFE/RL.
“Peace is thus established, but peace is not a vacation; it is labor, daily labor. Peace requires daily care like a newborn, protecting it from disease, cold and heat, indifference and pessimism,” the prime minister stated, while also stressing the role of U.S. President Donald Trump in this process.
One day earlier, from the same podium, Ilham Aliyev claimed Azerbaijan had achieved its goals and entered a new phase in its history. Aliyev again leveled accusations at Armenia, asserting it carried out “ethnic cleansing, war crimes, and rejected peace solutions.”
The prime minister underscored the importance of uncovering the fate of the missing and resolving the issue of persons detained due to the prolonged conflict, noting the demand for continuous governmental effort.
He stated that the expression “Zangezur corridor” is not contained in any documents agreed upon in Washington.
He also referred to the TRIPP route infrastructural initiative, saying it will operate through Armenia under a U.S.–Armenia agreed business model and will have both regional and global significance.
Pashinyan remarked that for a project of this scale, one must preserve peaceful and agreed discourse; meanwhile, the Azerbaijani president, who also signed the Washington Declaration, has repeatedly used the phrase “Zangezur corridor,” including at the UN podium.
“Such an expression does not appear in any document agreed in Washington. It has never been part of Armenia-Azerbaijan negotiations. I believe it is reasonable that my Azerbaijani counterpart clarify what he means when using that phrase, because in the Armenian reality it is perceived as a territorial demand on Armenia and is associated with conflict rhetoric,” he said.
The prime minister noted such statements do not promote public confidence in peace and conflict with already agreed arrangements.
“The Azerbaijani president, from various platforms, speaks about an alleged Armenian capitulation. Frankly, I don’t understand what massive, positive‑content condition, achieved through joint difficult efforts, has any relation to aggressive subtexts divorced from objective reality. Is peace not enough joy and satisfaction? For me, it is. It gives me sufficient joy that the Republic of Armenia is today a rapidly developing democratic state, independent, sovereign, building its own future, and it holds no hatred toward neighbors or anyone,” he said.
He called on the international community to note that the expression “Zangezur corridor” and similar rhetoric have no connection with agreed arrangements and are perceived as threats to the territorial integrity of a sovereign state, in contradiction with the adopted declaration.
“But this, of course, will not divert us one millimeter from the practice of signifying peace and implementing the declared agreements… I propose the Azerbaijani side focus on swiftly and precisely implementing the reached agreements, for which the use of legitimate discourse is essential,” he said.
The prime minister emphasized that, according to the Washington Declaration, opening communications between Armenia and Azerbaijan must proceed based on mutual respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, and legal authority.
Pashinyan noted that for the effective implementation of the TRIPP project, it is necessary to develop existing railway, road, pipeline, and energy transmission infrastructure between Armenia and Turkey.
“I am pleased to observe that in recent years an unprecedented level of positive dialogue has been established between Armenia and Turkey. My meetings with President Erdoğan are periodic, with a growing level of trust. This is an achievement I highly value and I am convinced that in the visible future it will yield positive results: the establishment of diplomatic relations between Armenia and Turkey and the full opening of the interstate border,” he said.
He also spoke of expanding Armenia’s diplomatic presence, noting the recently established relations with Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
“Balanced foreign policy opens new horizons for us. We are activating our relations with Middle Eastern and Central Asian countries,” the prime minister stressed.
He addressed the law adopted by the National Assembly this March, which initiates Armenia’s process of applying for EU membership, describing it as a central item on Armenia’s agenda.
According to him, Armenia aims to meet EU standards at an institutional level, which is needed for accession. After meeting those standards, the EU will either accept or reject Armenia’s membership, but in any case the process will yield positive outcomes.
“If we are accepted — fine; if not — we will still have solved an important issue we set before ourselves. Armenia will remain a modern country aligned with progressive standards,” Pashinyan said.
He added that he aims to solidify reforms in the area of democracy through a new Constitution, for which a constitutional referendum is scheduled in 2026.
On August 8, at the White House, Armenia’s Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, U.S. President Donald Trump, and Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev signed a joint Declaration on the outcomes of their Washington meeting. The foreign ministers of Armenia (Ararat Mirzoyan) and Azerbaijan (Jeyhun Bayramov) pre‑signed the agreement “On establishing peace and interstate relations between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan” in the presence of the leaders.
