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Akbar Novruz

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Back in August, Azerbaijan decided to officially exclude the Zangazur Corridor issue from the peace treaty talks with Armenia, shifting the focus to the next stage of discussions. The project, which has long been a point of contention, has raised various concerns, with Iran arguing that it would violate its borders and Armenia proposing an alternative "Crossroads of Peace" project. However, this initiative would require the agreement of both Azerbaijan and Türkiye to hold any meaningful significance.

The matter has now gained renewed attention, particularly in Türkiye, where Transport Minister Uraloğlu announced the launch of a historic project passing through Zangazur, and the Turkish Investment Fund is focusing on projects aimed at developing the Middle Corridor and Trans-Caspian International Transport Route.

Economic expert Dr. Kerem Karabulut of Atatürk University shared his insights with Azernews to illuminate the future prospects of the Zangazur Corridor.

Dr. Karabulut explained that the exclusion of the Zangazur Corridor from the peace talks is not due to a lack of interest from Azerbaijan or Türkiye, but rather as a strategic move to ensure long-term stability and development of the project:

"The fact that the Zangazur Corridor is excluded from the peace talks is not because Azerbaijan or Türkiye do not care about it, but because the talks should start as soon as possible and preparations for the future should be completed. One of these preparations is to ensure that the Zangazur Corridor is a stable, secure and economic development project that will operate in the long term."

He emphasized that a solid agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia is crucial for the corridor’s success:

"Signing a solid agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia regarding the opening of this Corridor will ensure that the stated goals are realized. A solid agreement also requires the inclusion of Russia, Türkiye and Iran in the process along with Azerbaijan and Armenia."

Dr. Karabulut further suggested that regional cooperation, particularly through railway connections, will be key to the project’s success. He mentioned the potential for establishing railway links between Türkiye and Iran, which would bolster trade and improve socio-economic relations:

"For this, in the efforts to convince Iran, the necessity of establishing various railway connections between Türkiye and Iran with the interaction of the corridor to be opened should be emphasized. For example, it should be explained that an extension of the Kars-Iğdır-Nakhchivan Railway can be connected to Tabriz and even Ashgabat via Julfa. It should also be explained that this connection will increase Iran’s trade potential by connecting it to Trabzon via Erzurum."

Dr. Karabulut also pointed out that Türkiye is ready to move forward with the Kars-Iğdır-Nakhchivan Railway, which will create an intercontinental connection once the corridor is operational. However, he stressed that Armenia’s role in facilitating the corridor’s opening is pivotal for Türkiye to open its borders with Armenia:

"With the opening of the corridor, Türkiye will immediately build the Kars-Iğdır-Nakhchivan Railway, which it has completed preparations for, and thus, in a sense, an intercontinental connection will be established. However, in order for these expectations to come true, Armenia must facilitate the opening of the Zangazur Corridor. Otherwise, peace can be signed, but it will not be possible for Armenia to achieve economic stability. Because one of the preconditions for Türkiye to open its border gates with Armenia is the opening of the Zangezur Corridor."

Dr. Karabulut concluded that while there are significant challenges ahead, the opening of the corridor remains a necessity for all involved countries:

"Türkiye can ensure the opening of the Corridor by explaining all these issues to Armenia and especially by doing this through Russia. Because the opening of the Corridor will primarily benefit Armenia. Later, it will benefit Russia, Iran, and other neighbouring and connected countries. Since it also benefits European countries and China, it can be said to be a common 'world corridor' in a sense. The other two countries that may be a problem are the US and France. They will want to prevent this by putting pressure on the Armenian administration. However, the Armenian administration is making statements that it will not bow to this pressure. Pashinyan’s moderate statements towards Türkiye show this. In short, the opening of the Corridor, whether it is included in the talks or not, is a path that has become a necessity for all countries. It can be said that it will be opened, albeit with a delay."