Era of Connectivity and Zangezur Corridor
Tazeen Akhtar
Connectivity and corridors are at the top of the priorities being discussed between the states to connect not only the countries but the regions and the continents. The Belt and Road Initiative of China, financially and potentially speaking, is no doubt the largest ever project in the history of connectivity but it is also a matter of fact that it is not the first one. Mankind has been exploring new destinations always to get the maximum from the resources in the world. From Silk Road and Grand Trunk Roads , we reached to CPEC , Middle corridor, North South corridor and many others. In short , we can state without apprehension of contradiction that it is ” The Era of Connectivity” or ” The Age of Corridors”.
In the South Asian region, from the known history, we find Grand Trunk Road in the middle ages while RCD between Pakistan, Iran and Turkiye is another example from modern history. On a relatively vast scale CPEC (China Pakistan Middle East Africa ) and the Middle corridor (Kazakhstan to Azerbaijan and beyond in Europe ) are two other examples.
In Eurasian connectivity the Zangezur corridor is the main artery to circulate the blood of trade between East and West or Eurasia. Azerbaijan, Turkey, and the U.S. (via the TRIPP initiative). The Zangezur Corridor is a proposed transport route through Armenia’s Syunik province, championed by Azerbaijan and Turkey, to link Azerbaijan’s mainland with its Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic (NAR) exclave, creating a direct land link to Turkey and Europe. It can be referred to as the way forward to shared development and prosperity for the continents. It complements Asia and Europe connectivity through Azerbaijan .
This corridor carries great economic and geopolitical significance as a potential game-changer for Eurasian logistics, impacting Asia, especially Central Asia, China while Pakistan can also join via Iran. It should not become a flashpoint of power struggle between the neighboring countries of the region. Iran is partner of Pakistan in connectivity to Turkiye and Azerbaijan. Pakistani NLC trucks have successfuly traveled through Iran to Azerbaijan.
Azerbaijan has provided assurances to both neighbors that it offers regional economic benefits and transit opportunities for all. The recent high level visits between the leaders and officials including President Pezeshkiyaan and Foreign Minister Aragchi have further increased the confidence level on the Iranian side in this regard.
Armenia and Iran are supposed to see the potential benefits that include economic growth at international level. Armenia is expected to see it in the same spirit that was found between the leaders of two countries in Washington when they agreed on a peace deal.
Iran and Azerbaijan had already agreed to create a transport corridor to Nakhchivan via Iran in Oct 2023. The heads of Railways of both sides met in Oct 2024 on the construction of the Aras corridor. It is said to be an alternative to Zangezur. Therefore the consensus between the two neighbors can be further matured for Zangezur as well for obvious extraordinary economic potential of this corridor.
Armenia , in dialogue with Russian mediation, after her defeat in Second Karabakh war agreed to ensure access for citizens as well as transport and cargo to Nakhchivan, and to ensure their unimpeded movement. So, Armenia needs to keep that agreement intact and join Zangezur to be part of international trade rather than oppose it and lose the opportunity of the century.
The Zangezur corridor actually brings Armenia and Iran closer than before. Their concerns that they will be cut off from each other are not factual. Both countries should cooperate with Azerbaijan than confront and not make the completion of this win-win project difficult for the parties.
The benefits of the Zangezur corridor for regional and international trade and transit are huge and available for all , not only for Azerbaijan and Turkiye.
It shortens transit between Asia and Europe, creating new trade opportunities. As a transit hub, it allows Iran and Armenia to become significant transit countries. It creates new trade routes as well as hundreds of thousands of new employment opportunities.
The corridor enhances the bilateral relations and regional integrity by facilitating economic growth and potentially fosters peace between the regional rivals as they will become partners in promotion of their trade internationally, strengthening their national economies and providing well being for their people.
Zangezur is only a 43-kilometer road through the Syunik region of Armenia that can change the destiny of two continents.
On Azerbaijani territory, the route links to the Horadiz-Agbend transport highway. On Turkish territory, it connects with the Nakhchivan-Igdir-Kars double-track railway and highway. The construction of this section is expected to take five years. It reduces reliance on maritime routes and fosters East-West trade.
The project includes building new railways and roads, such as the Horadiz-Aghband railway in Azerbaijan, connecting to the Armenian section (the “Trump Route”), the transport corridors Asia Pacific countries-Europe, Europe-Caucasus-Asia (TRACECA) and the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), also known as the Middle Corridor.
The project expands regional ties between Asia and Europe. Central Asian states are taking keen interest in this corridor. They are rapidly developing states that are seeking communication and logistics facilities with Azerbaijan, Turkiye and Europe through this corridor.
After Russia Ukraine war and sanctions of the EU, China seeks a new route for its trade with Europe. The Middle Corridor serves this purpose for China. Zangezur corridor shortens the travel on Middle corridor as it connects Azerbaijan directly to Turkiye saving travel through Georgia. Currently, the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway is used for trans-Caucasian international transportation. Freight trains need to travel 250 km through Georgian territory, while only 43 km along the Zangezur Corridor.
According to expert opinion, if the railway tracks are extended to the border village of Agbend, the distance between Turkiye and Azerbaijan will be reduced by a total of 343 km, providing huge savings in time and money for transporting goods.
International experts and researchers rightly recommend Zangezur Corridor as the best for two continents for shortest route, opening unlimited prospects for the development of trans-Caspian transportation, which involves almost all of Central Asia and the South Caucasus.
The road through Armenia to Nakhchivan facilitates access to the countries of East, Central, and South Asia to the European market via land routes, which will pave the way for their fastest connectivity and accelerate their trade and economy.
(The author is Islamabad based journalist. He is writing on connectivity and South Caucasus for many years. He can be reached at tazeen303@gmail.com )
Read in Urdu: کنیکٹیویٹی کا دور اور زنگزور کوریڈور
