If Meghri road is opened, Georgia and Iran will become our enemies. We find ourselves in a blockade. Samvel Babayan

We have no desire to lead the region into a major war, and what they do knowingly or unknowingly, whether Russia or us, is leading the region to war. Former Minister of State of Artsakh Samvel Babayan mentioned this in a conversation with NEWS.am.

"When Blinken and the Turkish Foreign Minister talk about creating a common union of the countries of Central Asia and the Caucasus, they take out a market of 85 million people from under Russia, the borders of NATO come, it reaches Uzbekistan, and it is clear where they are going. What will happen to Armenia there? Armenia needs to decide, Russia is right. They say that there are two options, but I believe that the third option is the right one. Some people think that we should go and join that union, build a logistic road through Meghri and participate in that whole economic movement, try to integrate into that structure, which is in our interests. We are opposed by Iran, which says it is not in my interests, it is a red line for me. I also say: in 1989 you violated our red line, now we are violating it. You don't like it, do you? Well, if you don't like it, Iran should open its borders for the goods of Armenia to trade with. "Armenia is losing what it should have earned through Meghri, you must compensate for it, you must open your market," he said.

Samvel Babayan reminded that during the 44-day war, Georgia forbade us even to bring rescue vehicles to Armenia. "By opening that road, we also nullify the position of Georgia. 40-45 percent of Georgia's budget comes from the transit of oil, gas and other goods.

If we provide the Meghri road, it reduces the length of the road by 30 percent, it is a smoother road. Armenia is given money for transit on the territory of 43 km, and on the territory of Georgia for 460 km.

Russia says: I am weak now, give me a place there, I will work as a guard on that road until we see what will happen," he said.

To the question of what status that road will have, will there be Russian border guards there, Samvel Babayan answered. "It will be our transit, sovereign territory. Here the question is different. There was a railway there, but no highway, we have to build it anew. Azerbaijan says: let's build a car road.

Armenia should clarify its position. If Armenia chooses the Russia-Georgia, Armenia-Iran road instead of the Turkey-Armenia-Azerbaijan road, then Azerbaijan says: you will give the 4 villages immediately. Then the issue of enclaves will be raised, and the tension will continue. If we choose the second option, we automatically remain in the blockade. Today, Azerbaijan should not ask for a guarantee from us on how it will pass 43 km in our territory, but we should ask them for a guarantee on how our vehicles, our citizens, will pass 600 km on their territory. If we go with this option, Georgia will become our enemy, and so will Iran. Then the question arises: where are we going to move?

Now if we don't realize this, it will lead to war. Middle Asia and the Caucasus is a market of 85 million people, which is now being taken out from under Russia with all its riches," said the former Minister of State of Artsakh.