‘Zangezur Corridor is Excluded’: Pars Today

Hamed Khosrosha, an expert on Caucasus issues, has commented on the tension between Azerbaijan and Armenia, the impact on relations between Tehran and Baku, and the outlook for next year. He noted that the main cities of Nagorno-Karabakh are preparing for the return of Azerbaijanis, as reported by Pars Today. Almost all Armenians living in these areas have moved to Armenia, which has rendered the Lachin Corridor, established under Putin’s mediation to connect Karabakh Armenians with Armenia, ineffective.

Khosrosha wrote in an article for the ‘Donya-ye Eqtesad’ newspaper: ‘The establishment of the Zangezur Corridor, which would connect Nakhchivan with the newly liberated territories, means the cession of Armenian territory. Therefore, what Baku is demanding is completely excluded.’ Currently, discussions are underway about reopening the routes that existed during the Soviet era in the South Caucasus.

The expert emphasized that the story does not end here: ‘The Caucasus is a field of play for many external actors. The Prime Minister of Armenia constantly thinks about moving away from Russia and heading towards the West. Recently, he asked Russian forces to return control of Yerevan’s airport to Armenian troops. Naturally, the next step will be the demand for border control. Currently, France is playing an active role on behalf of the West and has even proposed to bring military forces to Armenia. India, viewing its long-time enemy Pakistan alongside Azerbaijan, plans to sell heavy military equipment to Armenia. Considering these facts, one must say that peace will not return to the Caucasus in the near future,’ he stated.