Azerbaijani PM: Opening of Zangezur corridor to boost Middle Corridor development

Azerbaijani Prime Minister Ali Asadov met with a delegation led by Liu Jianchao, Head of the International Liaison Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), to discuss the strengthening of bilateral relations and future cooperation across various sectors.

According to a statement from the Cabinet of Ministers, both sides expressed satisfaction with the dynamic development of relations between Azerbaijan and China, attributing this progress to the political will and joint efforts of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Chinese President Xi Jinping, Caliber.Az reports, citing local media.

The meeting also highlighted last year’s adoption of the "Joint Declaration on the Establishment of a Strategic Partnership between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the People's Republic of China," which has elevated relations between the two nations to a new level.

Prime Minister Asadov and Liu Jianchao commended the ongoing cooperation between Azerbaijan’s ruling New Azerbaijan Party and the Communist Party of China, emphasizing its role in fostering stronger ties. Discussions covered a broad range of areas for potential collaboration, including trade, economy, investment, green energy, transport and logistics, digital technologies and innovation, culture, humanitarian exchanges, and tourism.

During the meeting, Prime Minister Asadov underscored the strategic importance of the Middle Corridor for Eurasia, particularly for the South Caucasus.

He stressed that the opening of the Zangezur Corridor would further accelerate the development of this key transit route, enhancing regional connectivity and economic growth.

The meeting reaffirmed the commitment of both nations to deepening their partnership and exploring new avenues for mutually beneficial cooperation.

Note that the Zangezur Corridor, a 43-kilometre route linking Azerbaijan to the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic via Armenia's Syunik region, is set to transform Eurasian transport. Connecting with Azerbaijan's Horadiz-Aghband highway and Türkiye's Nakhchivan-Igdir-Kars railway, the corridor aims to provide more direct access for goods between Azerbaijan, Türkiye, and the European Union.

Following the 44-day Karabakh war, which resulted in Azerbaijan's victory, Armenia was obligated to ensure unhindered movement through its territory to Nakhchivan, lifting a longstanding blockade. Though the corridor's full operation is still a few years away, Azerbaijan is already completing key infrastructure projects, including the Horadiz-Aghband railway and parallel highways.

The Zangezur Corridor will reduce travel distances for freight by 343 km compared to the current Baku-Tbilisi-Kars route, saving significant time and costs for Eurasian trade. 

By Khagan Isayev