YEREVAN. – Double blockade imposed by Azerbaijan and Turkey is one of the main obstacles to Armenia’s integration into regional and international trade projects, said Deputy Foreign Minister Arman Kirakosyan.

“Blockade was aimed at strangling Armenia during the first years of its independence, creating energy and transport crisis. However, this policy did not work,” he said at “Collective Security Treaty Organization and South Caucasus: prospects for regional peace and security” conference held in Yerevan.

Nowadays the blockade’s objective is to preserve the economic space of the South Caucasus fragmented. It hampers much-needed regional integration and international capital flows to the region.

“Unfortunately, Azerbaijan and Turkey are not ready to cooperate with us on the matter,” he added.

Arman Kirakosyan noted the conflict negatively affects situation in the region.

“Peaceful resolution of the conflict is Armenia’s foreign policy priority.  Accordingly, our regional policy is aimed at achieving peace and stability in the region,” he added.

The Deputy Minister said Armenia has adopted a regional policy of maintaining cooperation with neighbors and all economic, political and military organizations.

“In practice, this policy was embodied in Armenia’s membership in the CSTO and NATO Individual Partnership. Armenia is developing strategic cooperation with Russia and partner relations with U.S. and EU. Armenia is highly interested in cooperation with international and regional organizations in our region,” Kirakosyan concluded.