Nikol Pashinyan, the Armenian Prime Minister, on Thursday spoke about the activation of routes in his country, which could connect east to the west, at the ongoing Tbilisi Silk Road Forum. 

He stressed the railway infrastructure crossing northern and southern territories of Armenia had been in place for the past three decades, and the countries of the South Caucasus region, including Georgia, could benefit from them. 

Pashinyan claimed the activation of these routes would be a “short and efficient way” to connect the Caspian and Mediterranean seas. 

In his remarks the PM also highlighted the importance of a “lasting peace” in the region and added “no bridges can be built” without it. 

He noted his office was working on a draft agreement to ensure peace and normalisation of relations with Azerbaijan following their long conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh.