Azerbaijani, Iranian officials inspect landmark projects shaping Araz Corridor

Shahin Mustafayev, the Deputy Prime Minister of Azerbaijan, and Farzaneh Sadegh, Minister of Roads and Urban Development of Iran, have paid a visit to Zangilan to oversee the ongoing infrastructure developments along the Araz Corridor.

Mustafayev and Sadegh are inspecting critical joint projects, including the construction of the Aghband Bridge and the Horadiz-Aghband railway, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

These key infrastructural undertakings are central to the realization of the Araz Corridor, a strategic initiative designed to enhance connectivity between Azerbaijan’s East Zangazur economic region and Iran's Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic.

Iran and Azerbaijan reached an agreement to establish the Araz Corridor, a new transit route. This corridor will connect the village of Aghband in Azerbaijan’s Zangilan district to the city of Ordubad in southern Nakhchivan, passing through Iran’s East Azerbaijan Province. By bypassing Armenia, the Araz Corridor provides a viable alternative to the Zangazur Corridor, potentially addressing Iran’s concerns regarding its border with Armenia.

On March 11, 2022, Tehran and Baku agreed to develop new roads, railways, and energy supply lines to link Nakhchivan with Azerbaijan’s East Zangazur Economic Region via Iranian territory. This ambitious infrastructure project is not only reshaping the regional geopolitical landscape but also enhancing economic and strategic cooperation among the South Caucasus states, while facilitating increased trade and commercial exchanges.

The Araz Corridor is expected to be a vital transport and trade route, facilitating stronger bilateral ties and providing a direct link between the two countries. 

By Vafa Guliyeva