“The ‘Crossroads of Peace’ project is a political symbol, whereas the North–South railway is an economic reality,” stated former Chairman of the State Revenue Committee David Ananyan.
According to him, the “Crossroads of Peace” and TRIPP are often mistakenly seen as the same, but they actually pursue different goals. “The ‘Crossroads of Peace’ is about opening seven border checkpoints, while TRIPP is an elevated junction intended to connect Azerbaijan to Nakhichevan and has no relation to Armenia’s internal transport network,” Ananyan noted. He added that information about TRIPP is limited, and one often has to rely on preliminary assessments by international sources such as Reuters or The Economist.
Ananyan stated that the main goal of the “Crossroads of Peace” project is to hypothetically ensure access—through the opening of seven border points—to two Turkish ports, Izmir and Mersin, as well as the port near Baku on the Caspian Sea. He mentioned that these goals seem technically and economically viable if political obstacles are temporarily disregarded.
“The ‘Crossroads of Peace’ is a political symbol, whereas North–South is an economic reality,” Ananyan emphasized. He explained that the North–South corridor aims to provide access to Georgia’s Black Sea ports—Poti and Batumi—as well as, in the future, the deep-water port of Anaklia, designed to accommodate ships of up to 100,000 tons. In addition, Armenia already has a logistics link with Georgia and access to Iran’s Bandar Abbas port in the south.
Ananyan noted that the North–South corridor has been a long-standing dream for Armenia, yet it has not been implemented for decades. He recalled that as early as the 2000s, Russia, India, and Iran launched the North–South corridor project, of which Armenia was a part. “The North–South corridor passing through Iran has three branches, one of which is Armenia, but we failed to build it in time. However, this does not mean that North–South cannot become an alternative component of the larger corridor,” he said.
According to Ananyan, the diversity of transport hubs is an advantage. He stressed that within the framework of the large North–South project intended to deliver Indian cargo to Russia, Armenia could become an important hub—provided that an appropriate highway and railway are built. “The railway is of paramount importance, as it is the cornerstone of Armenia’s industrialization, the creation of an export-based economy, and the development of industrial zones,” Ananyan stated.
He explained that the industrial zones, which should be created from Ashotsk to Meghri, require access to major transport and railway hubs. These zones, which may include energy infrastructure—including alternative energy sources and even small nuclear blocks—must take into account regional specifics and have different scales and functions.
Ananyan added that the implementation of the North–South project is an economic necessity. He stated that the preparatory work for the project, including feasibility studies, has already been completed. “Small countries build such large infrastructures with state loans provided by major countries. For example, China is ready to implement this project with its own financing, builders, and engineering solutions—but this requires a state guarantee,” he said.
In conclusion, Ananyan stated that Armenia’s economic policy must be radically transformed—from a consumption model to an export- and industrialization-based model. “The North–South corridor and its railway component are an integral part of Armenia’s economic future, and we must make every effort to implement it,” he concluded.