Azerbaijan urges Armenia to take concrete steps on Zangezur Corridor

Azerbaijan expects tangible actions from Armenia regarding the long-delayed Zangezur Corridor, a strategically important route with implications for regional connectivity, Azerbaijani presidential aide Hikmet Hajiyev said during a panel discussion at the GLOBSEC 2025 Forum in Prague.

Speaking at the session titled “The Middle Corridor: A New Geopolitical and Economic Lifeline?”, Hajiyev criticised Armenia’s “Crossroads of Peace” initiative as “excessively limited and belated,” noting that discussions on regional connectivity date back to the period when Azerbaijani territories were under occupation, Caliber.Az reports via local media..

“When Azerbaijan's territories were under occupation, we discussed the issue of communications as part of the conflict resolution process. Now the conflict is resolved. We have created complete security and stability in the region. Armenia can become part of regional discussions and key transport links,” he said.

Hajiyev underscored that Baku has no intention of isolating or marginalising Armenia, but stressed that mutual expectations must be met to move forward. 

“We are negotiating with Armenia. We have no intentions to marginalise or isolate anyone in the region, but we also have certain expectations from Armenia," he said.

In particular, he pointed to the longstanding blockade of Nakhchivan by Armenia, which has persisted for three decades.

Hajiyev recalled that Armenia kept Nakhchivan under blockade for 30 years, and now Baku is waiting for concrete steps from Yerevan: "This step is related to the Zangezur Corridor. In Armenia, there is a certain irritation about the word 'corridor.' I always joke that I would like the entire territory of Azerbaijan to be a corridor. Well, let them call it whatever they want, but first of all, we want to have a connection with Nakhchivan, because for 30 years we were deprived of this opportunity. After this, other opportunities may also open up for Armenia. We want to see Armenia as part of the regional transport system," he said.