Azerbaijani president: Zangezur Corridor may open by end of 2028

The opening of the Zangezur Corridor could take place by the end of 2028, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev announced during a joint press statement with President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev as part of his state visit to Kazakhstan, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

“The opening of the Zangezur Corridor could take place by the end of 2028,” said President Ilham Aliyev. “In addition to all that we are currently planning and implementing, the Zangezur Corridor project holds enormous potential. Within Azerbaijan, all work on road and rail infrastructure will be completed by the middle of next year. We hope that in other countries the work will proceed at the same pace, and in that case, the opening of the Zangezur Corridor could occur by the end of 2028.”

The Azerbaijani leader also highlighted the importance of the TRIPP initiative, describing it as one of the key outcomes of the recent Washington Summit.

“The TRIPP project will definitely be implemented,” President Ilham Aliyev said. “As you know, one of the achievements of the Washington Summit in August is the TRIPP project (The Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity). President Trump has given his name to this project, which naturally indicates that it will definitely be implemented. This opens up yet another route for the Middle Corridor. In addition to the traditional route, a new one through Zangezur will be added, with a cargo turnover of 15 million tons meeting the most modern standards. Thus, the volume of cargo from Asia to Europe and back through our countries’ territories has the potential to grow on its own, but it will also have even greater potential for receiving and dispatching.”

Aliyev stressed that the partnership between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan has not only economic but also geopolitical significance.

“Active cooperation between Baku and Astana carries significant geopolitical importance,” he stated. “Today, the active cooperation between our countries also holds great geopolitical importance. At a time when new transport routes are opening, when projects related to connectivity across the broader Eurasian region are being implemented, and when the Caucasus and Central Asia are becoming more interconnected, often operating within a single geographical space, all of this requires constant attention and, naturally, the involvement of heads of state to ensure that this cooperation yields concrete results.”

Touching upon regional peace efforts, President Aliyev announced that Azerbaijan has lifted all restrictions on the transit of goods to Armenia.

“Azerbaijan has lifted all restrictions on the transit of goods to Armenia that had been in place since the occupation,” he said. “I should also note that the first such transit shipment was a consignment of Kazakh grain to Armenia. I believe this is a clear indication that peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia exists not only on paper but also in practice.”

The head of state declared that a new chapter of peace has begun between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

“A new era of peace has begun between Azerbaijan and Armenia,” President Aliyev said at the second meeting of the Azerbaijan-Kazakhstan Supreme Interstate Council. “Today marks, or I would even say, a new stage — the stage of peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia. Reaching the initialing of a peace agreement less than two years after the last military clashes demonstrates that both countries have shown a high level of political will.”

President Aliyev also underscored the crucial role of U.S. President Donald Trump in facilitating the normalization process between Baku and Yerevan, noting that his contribution “deserves the highest recognition.”

Speaking about Kazakhstan’s development path, the Azerbaijani leader commended President Tokayev’s leadership and the country’s ongoing reforms.

“Kazakhstan is confidently advancing along the path of development and modernization,” President Aliyev said. “Over the past few years, the reforms carried out by President (Kassym-Jomart Tokayev – ed.), the focus on modernization and the development of modern technologies, including artificial intelligence, demonstrate that Kazakhstan is confidently moving toward development and modernization,” he noted, adding that “Kazakhstan’s international authority is also growing stronger.”

President Aliyev further expressed gratitude to Kazakhstan for its consistent support for Azerbaijan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

“For many years, when our lands were under occupation, Kazakhstan consistently expressed support for Azerbaijan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” he said. “Both in bilateral formats and through signed documents, as well as in Kazakhstan’s stance within international organizations, we have always felt this support, and we are very grateful for it.”

By Vugar Khalilov