Controversial Implications of the Zangezur Corridor for Armenia

Kokcha News Agency: The Zangezur Corridor, a project aimed at creating a seamless transport link between Azerbaijan and its exclave, Nakhchivan, has become a focal point of geopolitical tension in the South Caucasus. The corridor, which would pass through Armenia’s Syunik region, has raised alarms in Yerevan, with many fearing it could lead to a loss of sovereignty over the southern part of the country.

The issue is set to be discussed during a meeting in Washington on August 8, involving former U.S. President Donald Trump, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. While the Armenian government has recognized Nagorno-Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan, the potential handover of control over the Zangezur Corridor to a U.S. company has not been confirmed, but media reports suggest it could mark the beginning of a new geopolitical shift in the region.

Yevgeniy Semibratov, a political scientist and historian, shared his insights on the matter. He emphasized that the Zangezur Corridor is not just a local issue but part of a broader strategy to create a transport route between East and West, sidelining Russia both geographically and politically. This aligns with long-standing British and American interests in the region.

Semibratov warned that the corridor’s implementation, especially without Russian mediation, poses a direct threat to Armenia’s independence. The strengthening of Azerbaijan and Turkey, both of which face economic challenges, could further destabilize the region, particularly for Armenia.

Turkey’s role in the normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan is also under scrutiny. Ankara has conditioned the opening of its border with Armenia on the realization of the Zangezur Corridor, a move seen as a diplomatic victory for Azerbaijan and a strategic win for Turkey’s pan-Turkic ambitions.

The South Caucasus has long been a contested region, with Russia, Iran, and Turkey vying for influence. While Russia and Iran have maintained constructive security relations, Turkey, supported by its Western allies, particularly the UK, seeks to expand its presence in the region.

Armenia’s current government, led by Pashinyan, is viewed as anti-Russian, complicating Moscow’s efforts to maintain influence in the South Caucasus. In contrast, Azerbaijan’s Aliyev, despite his Soviet-era ties, has cultivated strong relations with Turkey and the West.

The Zangezur Corridor represents more than just a logistical project; it is a potential flashpoint for regional conflict, with far-reaching implications for Armenia’s sovereignty and the broader geopolitical landscape of the South Caucasus.