BRICS is an opportunity for Armenia to become part of a new transport system – Marat Bashirov

Speaking with Alpha News, Professor at the Higher School of Economics Marat Bashirov commented on what will give Armenia participation in the BRICS summit.

“BRICS is an organization based on the principles of equality and respect for sovereignty. Due to the fact that Armenia has the so-called Zangezur corridor, about 40 kilometers of land, it is an important element of the China, India, Iran transport corridor and further access to the Black Sea. Access to the Black Sea is through Armenia, then Azerbaijan, and, accordingly, Turkey or Russia,” he said.

According to Bashirov, everyone understands that this reformatting of trade and transport corridors creates new logistics.

“New logistics, which is cheap, there are no territorial conflicts, it is easy to insure, that is, it is clear that the risks are low. And here Armenia is a key point. If the Armenian authorities suddenly refuse, then the road will pass through the Caspian Sea. That is, the cargo will be loaded at the Iranian port, go along the Caspian Sea, go to Russia or Azerbaijan by sea,” he stressed. According to the expert, it is obvious that Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan took into account this key moment when he arrived in Kazan for the BRICS Summit.

“No matter how committed you are to geopolitical strategies, it would simply be a crime to deny the benefits for your country, to deny the opportunity for its development. Pashinyan is not so ready to betray the interests of his country. BRICS is an opportunity for Armenia to become part of the new Asia-Europe trade transport system,” Bashirov concluded.