Ankara pushes to open so-called “Zangezur corridor”

PanARMENIAN.Net - Turkey is striving to facilitate the opening of the so-called "Zangezur Corridor," according to Turkish Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu.

The minister stated that Armenia and Azerbaijan are currently engaged in necessary negotiations regarding the project, Minval.az reports.

"I believe this issue will be resolved in the near future. This will open a shorter route to the Turkic world," he emphasized.

Uraloğlu also noted the strategic importance of developing transport routes for Turkey.

"Azerbaijan continues its work on both land and rail connections. We too will begin work this year on the Kars-Iğdır-Nakhchivan line," the minister added.

During an international media forum, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev expanded on the corridor narrative, stating that "Azerbaijani cargo and citizens should not encounter Armenian border guards or anyone else," asserting the route should provide unrestricted and secure connectivity between Azerbaijani territories. According to him, this matter was also raised during his meeting with Armenia's Prime Minister in Abu Dhabi. He further noted that "there will be no operators, leases, or rental agreements" on their territory.

In response, Armenian Prime Minister’s spokesperson Nazeli Baghdasaryan emphasized that Armenia has never discussed, is not discussing, and will not discuss "the terminology and logic presented by the President of Azerbaijan." She also stressed that "Aliyev’s claim that Azerbaijanis should not meet Armenian border guards is outside the logic of the discussions that have taken place."