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- Author:
-
Gulshan Pashayeva
(Center of Analysis of International Relations (AIR Center))
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- Format:
- Individual paper
- Theme:
- Political Science, International Relations, and Law
Abstract:
Azerbaijan has actively been involved in the process of launching regional connectivity projects, which cover not only the East–West, but also North–South and North–West transportation corridors over the years. In fact, in the long run transport and economic communications can transform the South Caucasus and wider region into an economic, logistic and tourism hub.
After the Second Karabakh War, the idea of revitalizing the transportation corridor that could unite Azerbaijan’s main territory with its enclave Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic has become more concrete. Coined the “Zangazur transportation corridor”, Azerbaijan has been keen to see the required road and rail infrastructure rebuilt in the 44-km long strip of territory in Meghri district of the southern Armenian province of Syunik to connect Asia and Europe.
One of the main elements of this corridor is also the construction of Horadiz-Agbend railway which was destroyed and ceased to operate during the occupation of Azerbaijan’s territories by Armenian armed forces in 1993. The construction of this railway which started in February 2021 has a great importance both for the transportation of citizens and the goods. Today approximately 80% of the construction works of this railway have been successfully completed in Azerbaijan.
But in Armenia discussions around the Zangezur Corridor are still ongoing, and opinions about opening of transport communications in Armenian society remain diametrically opposed: from the positive, considering these communications as a way of convenient and cheap delivery of goods to openly marginal, believing that behind these intentions lie some hidden expansionist plans of Turkey and Azerbaijan regarding Armenia.
Moreover, geopolitical rivalry following the February 2022 invasion of Ukraine by Russia now also proves to be an obstacle in this issue. Therefore, this study is guided by the question of whether or not the controversy around Zangazur corridor is part of the geopolitics of the day which is going on between Russia and the West.