The Zangezur Corridor stands out as a strategic gateway in the South Caucasus. It is a transportation and trade route that connects Azerbaijan’s Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic with its motherland and includes Armenia in regional economic integration. The importance of the Zangezur Corridor should be evaluated together with the political, economic and security dynamics in the region. This is because Zangezur was a region with a predominantly Muslim Turkic population until the Soviet Union. When it was annexed to Armenia by the Soviet Union in the 1920s, the demographic structure of the region began to change.[1]
The Zangezur Corridor has historically been a connecting point between different cultures, ethnic groups and states in the region. Currently, the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic is separated from the main territory of Azerbaijan by the Meghri Region.[2] Therefore, the Zangezur Corridor will connect Nakhchivan to Azerbaijan and ensure the integration of this region into Azerbaijan’s political, economic and social structure. The corridor will facilitate Nakhchivan’s opening to the outside world and its participation in regional cooperation, while reinforcing Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity.[3]
From an economic perspective, the Zangezur Corridor can play a strategic role in revitalizing trade and transportation in the region. The corridor will facilitate Nakhchivan’s access to the Black Sea and Europe, despite its limited geographical location with Azerbaijan and Turkey. This will enable Nakhchivan to play an active role in regional economic integration.
At the same time, the Zangezur Corridor through Nakhchivan will facilitate the access of Central Asian and South Asian countries to European markets. This will contribute to increasing regional trade and stimulating economic growth.
Moreover, the Zangezur Corridor can play a strategic role in terms of energy policies. Energy resources in the region can be transported to European markets through this corridor. Azerbaijan’s rich oil and natural gas reserves can be integrated into international energy projects through the Zangezur Corridor, thus ensuring the energy security of the region.[4] This could support the economic and political stability of the countries in the region, while enabling the West to diversify its energy sources.
From a strategic security perspective, the Zangezur Corridor could affect the political balance in the region. By connecting Nakhchivan to Azerbaijan, the corridor will increase Azerbaijan’s regional power and include Armenia in regional integration. This will create a favorable environment for peaceful solutions and regional cooperation and reduce the risk of conflict.
In conclusion, the Zangezur Corridor is a strategic transit route in the South Caucasus and has the potential to play an important role in the political, economic and security dynamics of the region. In addition to connecting Nakhchivan to Azerbaijan and promoting regional cooperation and economic integration, the corridor is also crucial for energy policy and strategic security. In this sense, the corridor can be defined as a route to regional prosperity.
[1] “Zengezur Koridoru Adım Adım Gerçekleşiyor”, TRT Haber, https://www.trthaber.com/haber/dunya/zengezur-koridoru-adim-adim-gerceklesiyor-750954.html, (Date of Accession: 12.06.2023).
[2] “The Nakhchivan Corridor Will Boost Connectivity in the Caucasus”, Euractiv, https://www.euractiv.com/section/azerbaijan/opinion/the-nakhchivan-corridor-will-boost-connectivity-in-caucasus/, (Date of Accession: 12.06.2023).
[3] Ibid.
[4] “State Agency: Electricity from Azerbaijan’s Liberated Areas to Be Exported to Europe Through Zangezur Corridor”, Apa, https://apa.az/en/energy-and-industry/state-agency-electricity-from-azerbaijans-liberated-areas-to-be-exported-to-europe-through-zangezur-corridor-397556, (Date of Accession: 13.06.2023).
