Turkish expert says Zangezur Corridor could reshape Eurasian geopolitics

The Zangezur Corridor could become a key driver in reshaping the geopolitical and economic architecture of Eurasia, a Turkish international relations expert has said.

Mehmet Gökhan Özçubukçu made the remarks in comments to journalists, describing the corridor as a multi-layered strategic project with implications for the South Caucasus, regional power dynamics, and broader trade routes across Eurasia, according to AZERTAC.

He recalled that the territory of Zangezur has historically been inhabited by Azerbaijanis and holds critically important significance for the geographical integrity of Azerbaijan.

“Part of the Zangezur region was transferred to Armenia during the Soviet era, which severed the land connection between the main part of Azerbaijan and Nakhchivan, turning the latter into an exclave. This is not only about the geographical separation of Azerbaijan, but also about the destruction of the unity of the Turkic world,” Özçubukçu said.

According to him, if the new transport and logistics artery stretching from Türkiye through Azerbaijan and the Caspian Sea to Central Asia and China becomes operational, this route will turn into the geoeconomic backbone of Eurasia.

“The transformation of global trade routes, especially in recent years, has increased the importance of the Zangezur Corridor. The negative consequences of the Russia–Ukraine war, the security crisis in the Red Sea and Suez Canal area, as well as China’s desire to create alternative routes within the framework of the Belt and Road initiative, have significantly increased the strategic value of the Middle Corridor. This is precisely where the Zangezur Corridor comes into play,” the Turkish expert stated, emphasising that the issue is not limited to the economic sphere.

In his opinion, in the period following the 44-day Patriotic War, Azerbaijan significantly strengthened its position by changing the status quo in the region, while the Zangezur Corridor will consolidate the current geopolitical realities by forming the economic and strategic foundation of this transformation.

He also emphasised the symbolic and strategic significance of the new route for the Turkic world.

“The possibility of uninterrupted transportation from Türkiye to Azerbaijan and further to Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and other Central Asian countries will contribute to the practical strengthening of the Organisation of Turkic States. The integration of the Turkic world, which for many years remained limited to the level of cultural discourse, will gain a concrete geopolitical and economic foundation. Therefore, the Zangezur Corridor is viewed not only as a transit route, but also as the basis of a new geopolitical architecture oriented toward Eurasia,” Özçubukçu believes.

Speaking about the significance of the Zangezur Corridor for Türkiye, the expert pointed out that the project is considered one of the most important elements of Ankara’s multifaceted geopolitical strategy focused on Eurasia and the Turkic world.

“In other words, for Ankara, the Zangezur Corridor is not merely a transit initiative, but a comprehensive regional projection encompassing economic, strategic, diplomatic, and geocultural dimensions of influence. I am confident that this route will remain at the center of Türkiye’s long-term strategic goals.”

He noted that the opening of the Zangezur Corridor would provide Ankara with a shorter, more economical, and safer route to the Central Asian region.

“This will not only reduce transportation costs, but also increase Türkiye’s strategic importance in Eurasian trade. The opening of the Zangezur Corridor means deepening the strategic partnership between Türkiye and Azerbaijan, as well as strengthening stability and the security architecture in the South Caucasus,” the Turkish expert concluded.