Daily Sabah (19 September 2025)

Hazel ÇAĞAN ELBİR*
 

The South Caucasus, owing to its geostrategic location and abundant energy resources, has historically attracted the attention of global powers. Following Azerbaijan’s victory in the 2020 Second Karabakh War and the subsequent cease-fire agreement signed on Nov. 10, 2020, a new chapter has begun to unfold in the region. Article 9 of this agreement introduced the Zangezur Corridor, a strategic transportation route aimed at connecting Azerbaijan’s mainland with the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic through Armenia’s Syunik region. Supported by Türkiye and within the framework of a strategic alliance with Azerbaijan, this project holds the potential to transform not only regional but also global economic and energy dynamics.

And the year 2025 marked a pivotal moment for the Zangezur Corridor. On Aug. 8, 2025, a peace framework was signed under the auspices of U.S. President Donald Trump, involving Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, envisioning the corridor’s development as the “Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity.” This agreement grants the U.S. development rights while committing to respect Armenia’s sovereignty.

What is the Zangezur Corridor?

The corridor comprises approximately a 43-kilometer (26.7-mile) road and railway link connecting Azerbaijan to the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic via Armenia’s Syunik region. Article 9 of the cease-fire agreement stipulates the opening of this corridor, with its security to be ensured by the Russian Federal Security Service Border Guard Service. While Azerbaijan and Türkiye view the project as a bridge connecting the Turkic world, it has become a contentious issue due to Armenia’s concerns over sovereignty. In 2025, under U.S. mediation, an agreement was signed to develop the corridor under the name “Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP),” thereby enhancing its international dimension.

For the full version of the article, please click here: https://www.dailysabah.com/opinion/op-ed/what-zangezur-corridor-promises-trade-transit-and-trust