Baku Rejects Yerevan's 'Peace Crossroads' Amid Zangazur Corridor Deadlock

(MENAFN- AzerNews) Akbar Novruz Read more

On January 28, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev addressed several important issues during a meeting focused on transportation. The main topics included identifying the problems faced by Azerbaijan's transport infrastructure and discussing potential solutions for their development. An additional topic discussed was the Zangezur corridor, which has remained unresolved for about five years. This corridor is a commitment made by Armenia in the Trilateral Statement of November 10, 2020. It is important to note that even if Armenia does not agree to the Zangazur corridor, which holds global significance, it is still required to provide unhindered access to Nakhchivan, which is part of Azerbaijan, as requested by influential external parties.

From the outset, the Zangazur corridor has been framed as a necessity rather than a preference. Azerbaijan's position is straightforward: Armenia is obligated to provide a transport connection between the mainland and Nakhchivan. Even if external actors pressure Yerevan to resist this corridor, the reality remains that access to Nakhchivan is not just a geopolitical ambition but a legal commitment.

A few months ago, in August, the Azerbaijani side announced that the issue of the Zangazur corridor had been removed from the peace agreement. Elchin Amirbayov, a special envoy for Azerbaijan, made this announcement on August 7 following his visit to the U.S. He stated,“The regional communication duties article has been removed from the draft of the peace treaty,” indicating a strategic shift in regional geopolitics. Amirbayov emphasized that Azerbaijan's primary goal is to address what it perceives as Armenia's illegal territorial claims, which they believe are central to the conflict. This development occurred before the COP29 event in Baku. However, even after two months, no progress has been made toward advancing the peace agreement. Additionally, official Yerevan opted not to participate in an important UN climate event that could have been significant for the peace process.

Now this time, as it was before, Ilham Aliyev once again made it clear that the corridor is not merely a geopolitical initiative but a legal commitment Armenia assumed after its capitulation in the Second Garabagh War.

"It was explicitly stated there that there should be a transport connection between the main part of Azerbaijan and the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, which is its integral part," he stressed, highlighting that despite this clear obligation, Yerevan has been stalling with "various unrealistic and absurd projects" to mislead the international community.

One such attempt is the so-called "Peace Crossroads" project, which the Armenian leadership has been aggressively promoting. However, as Aliyev pointed out, "this so-called project is not worth two cents without Azerbaijan." The Azerbaijani leader made it clear that no country would support Armenia's transit ambitions if they do not align with regional realities. "We have repeatedly conveyed this to the Armenian side through various channels. If you truly want to implement this project, first of all, you should approach Azerbaijan," the head of state said.

The strategic importance of the Nakhchivan connection

Azerbaijan's insistence on the Zangazur corridor is not just about regional transit-it is about an essential connection between two parts of the country. The Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic is an exclave of Azerbaijan, separated from the mainland by Armenia. However, Aliyev's remarks highlighted that despite Armenia's blockade, Baku has already taken alternative measures. "True, we are meeting the needs of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic in various ways. First of all, cargo and passengers go through the territory of the Islamic Republic of Iran. We also have other opportunities. But they are economically less viable and the road is longer," he noted.

This reality places Armenia in a difficult position. Azerbaijan is building a transport link through Iranian territory, bypassing Armenia entirely.

"A corresponding agreement has been reached with the Islamic Republic of Iran, and a project is now underway on the construction of a road bridge bypassing Armenia. It will probably be completed this year," Aliyev stated. The completion of this project will further isolate Armenia, reinforcing Aliyev's assertion that "Armenia will continue to be a dead-end country, and their dreams of becoming a transit state will never be materialized."

For related issues, you can also check out one of our previous articles to get further information about the aforementioned road project.

The Armenian government, under Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, appears to be caught between external influences and its own reluctance to fulfill its commitments. The opening of the Zangazur corridor would provide Armenia access to Türkiye, Russia, and Europe, revitalizing its economy.

"Armenia will send its goods to Russia through Azerbaijan, and the land borders with Türkiye will be operational. Is it difficult not to understand this?" Aliyev asked, pointing to the obvious economic benefits Armenia is foregoing.

Azerbaijan, for its part, is demanding more than just access to the corridor-it's calling for the free movement of goods, people, and vehicles between Azerbaijan and Nakhchivan, with no customs inspections or duties. Moreover, security guarantees must be ensured to safeguard this strategic passage. But this is not about undermining Armenia's sovereignty. Official Yerevan should understand that with this project we do not aim to put Armenia under a blockade or to cut its connections via Iran. Azerbaijan has repeatedly offered that while this project is being implemented, Armenia will still be able to gain access to Iran via viaducts. The Zangazur corridor benefits everyone. Armenia would gain access to Azerbaijan's railways, boosting connectivity with Iran and Russia while opening new economic opportunities for international trade.

However, it seems external actors are discouraging Yerevan from making rational decisions. This reflects a broader geopolitical struggle, where Armenia, instead of acting in its own national interests, is being used as a pawn in larger regional rivalries.

Armenia's continued obstruction of the Zangazur corridor is delaying the inevitable. Azerbaijan is already bypassing Armenia to reach Nakhchivan, and regional dynamics are increasingly unfavourable to Yerevan's isolationist policies.

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