Mouood Mouood English Edition
News Analysis: The Presidents of Turkey and the Republic of Azerbaijan made claims about the “Zangezur Corridor” during a joint meeting in the village of Aghali in the mountainous region of Qarabagh.
What happened in meeting of Zangezur Corridor
Recep Tayyip Erdogan, during his visit to the Republic of Azerbaijan on Tuesday (2021-10-25), visited the Nagorno-Karabakh region and claimed that; “the day should come when the trip will take place from the “Zangezur Corridor” to Istanbul“. The President of the Republic of Turkey, at the invitation of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, paid a one-day visit to Nagorno-Karabakh and, while inaugurating the airport in the Fuzuli region, also visited parts of Zangilan .
Azartaj, the official news agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan, published a report on the speeches of Erdogan and Aliyev at a joint meeting in the village of Aghali in the Nagorno-Karabakh region.
According to the media, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev began his speech by addressing Erdogan and the Turkish government delegation. “Mr. President, my dear brother, dear guests, ladies and gentlemen,” he said. “First of all, welcome back, dear brother (Erdogan). Welcome to (Republic of) Azerbaijan. Your visit is very important. This is your second visit to the occupied territories. Four months ago, you and I went to Shusha together, and today, Fuzuli and Zangilan. The Shusha Declaration, signed in the city of Shusha (between the Republic of Azerbaijan and Turkey), is a historical document. This statement officially brought the relations between Azerbaijan and Turkey to the level of unity.” Elham Aliyev continued his remarks by reiterating his previous claims about the corridor known as the “Zangezur Corridor”. Officials of the Republic of Azerbaijan, especially Ilham Aliyev, shortly after the signing of the Nagorno-Karabakh ceasefire agreement in November 2020, which ended the 44-day deadly conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the region, created border tensions and resorted to propaganda and false statements to pave the way of Zangezur Corridor formation.
Baku officials claim that during the ceasefire agreement and according to its provisions, a land route was agreed to connect the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic to the Republic of Azerbaijan. This false claim is made while none of the clauses in the 9 clause of the agreement specify such a requirement. In Article 9 of the agreement, Armenia has agreed to open the closed transport routes between the western part of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Autonomous Republic of Nakhchivan and to ensure the security of transport on these routes, but nowhere you could find a single indication to a corridor along the Armenian-Iranian border, which would remove the border and deprive Iran of access to the transit route of the Republic of Armenia. In fact, the agreement does not name any specific “road” and “corridor”, nor does it define a route for such a road or corridor. Baku is replacing the reading through a false interpretation. In another word Baku spurious demand for Article 9 of the agreement is tested through propaganda. Article 9 of the agreement states: “All economic and transport connections in the region must be opened. The Republic of Armenia must ensure the security of the transportation hubs between the western regions of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic in order to ensure the unimpeded movement of people, vehicles and cargo in both directions. The Border Guard of the Russian Federal Security Service will be responsible for overseeing transportation routes.“
According to the agreement of the parties, new transportation hubs will be created to connect the Autonomous Republic of Nakhchivan and the western regions of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Obviously, for the connection of the Republic of Azerbaijan with Nakhchivan, it has been said that transportation axes should be activated, but there is no talk of corridors and the like. Aliyev, meanwhile, speaks of creating a “corridor” through negotiation or even Force. This improper claim, when put beside other firm evidences, contains the territorial perspective influenced by the Zionist regime conspiracies and Turkey.
The alleged corridor of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, referring to the Armenian “Syunik” province on the border with Iran, is called the “Zangezur Corridor” and threatens to take Zangezur from Armenia in violation of the UN Charter and the rules of the International Law. “Today, when we are in Zangilan, it would naturally be wrong not to mention the Zangezur corridor,” Ilham Aliyev said in a joint meeting with Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday. Zangilan is located in the east of Zangezur region and from here Zangezur corridor will connect the whole Turkish world (Turkish speaking countries). Both the Republic of Azerbaijan and Turkey are taking concrete steps to implement the Zangezur Corridor. “I am confident that these measures will pay off in the near future.“
The President of the Republic of Azerbaijan continued: “Today, together with my brother (Erdogan) and the guests, we started the concreting of a large highway. As a result of the construction of this road and railway line, we will achieve what we want. “He added “I would like to take this opportunity to thank many Turkish companies operating in the liberated territories of the Republic of Azerbaijan today,” he also said “Thanks to their tireless efforts. Roads and railways are being built in the area today, tunnels are being built also, and infrastructure projects are underway. This is another embodiment of our unity and brotherhood. I am absolutely sure that Turkey and (Republic of) Azerbaijan, the two brothers, will continue to move forward together, our people will be closer to each other and our countries will continue to cooperate successfully. Therefore, the joint power of Turkey and (the Republic of Azerbaijan) will be more effective.“
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke after Ilham Aliyev. “Mr. President, my dear brother, honorable ministers, respected members of the media,” Erdogan said. “First of all, I am very glad to see you. I am very happy to visit the Fuzuli and Zangilan four and a half months after traveling to this beautiful region liberated from occupation. On my own behalf, on behalf of my country official delegation and my people, I once again thank my dear brother, President Ilham Aliyev, for his loving invitation.” The President of Turkey continued: “(Azerbaijan) continues its work for the development of this region, which will become a model for the whole world. Here, first of all, as the President pointed out, the tunnels, overpasses and highways that we keyed in the construction process, are very important. I sincerely congratulate my brother Elham Aliyev, who is responsible for all these activities, and all those involved. Congratulations to the contracting companies. The contracting companies have deployed all their equipment and work with their heart, which is commendable. Turkey will do its utmost to support its brother (the Republic of) Azerbaijan. Now the conditions are more favorable than ever to ensure Lasting Peace and progress towards the desired normalization,” he added “To do this, we must act in accordance with the new realities of the region. We are in favor of Lasting Peace and full normalization in the region.“
Recep Tayyip Erdogan also supported Elham Aliyev’s claim about the “Zangezur Corridor”. “Roads and railways passing through this geographical area open economic and trade opportunities not only for (the Republic of) Azerbaijan and Turkey, but for all countries in the region,” The Turkish president said in Zangilan; “The day will come when we will be able to travel from Zangezur to Istanbul, Igdir and Kars (Turkish provinces). The possibility of turning the region into a transit and logistics center will expand,” he said. “All of Azerbaijan (Republic) neighbors, including Iran, Georgia, and Armenia, can benefit from this development. These are not isolated plans, but contain inclusive projects. This process requires the determination and mutual recognition of borders. This is a concept that should be the basis of good neighborly relations.“
“Armenia must show sincere determination to resolve the problems with (the Republic of) Azerbaijan in these matters,” Erdogan added. “If it shows goodwill towards (the Republic of) Azerbaijan, there will be no obstacles to the normalization of Turkish-Armenian relations. Sacrificing the prosperous future that will be built through joint efforts for small disputes and the domestic regional politics is not a logical strategy. Those items if unsolved mean a waste of time. A peaceful and bright future in this beautiful region of the world is definitely possible. I would like to reiterate that Turkey will also constructively respond to any positive step aimed at achieving Lasting Peace.“
Persian source: Farsnews Agency International Group
