EDnews reports "A historic step in the Zangezur corridor" by Hande Fırat

This Friday, a historic milestone will be reached in the Zangezur Corridor, which has been closely followed by the United States and other countries around the world.

General perspective on the project: The corridor, which will create a continuous transportation chain connecting Central Asia–Caucasus–Turkey–Europe, draws attention not only for its infrastructure but also for its political and economic cooperation aspects.

 Regional Cooperation and Development Perspective

- The project is significant not only from an infrastructure point of view but also for its political and economic collaboration dimensions.
- It will further strengthen the ties between Azerbaijan and Turkey.
- For years, the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic has been trying to access the world through routes involving border restrictions with Armenia and transit through - -- Iran. With the corridor, this blockade-like situation will be resolved, and Nakhchivan’s economy will be revitalized.
- At the same time, Armenia could also benefit from this project by taking on a transit country role, thereby becoming part of regional economic integration. According to the latest agreement, the corridor will be subject to Armenian legislation, and Armenia can benefit from international investment and transit revenues.
- This also opens up an opportunity for the development of sustainable peace and neighborly relations in the South Caucasus.
- The participation of international consortia in the project brings technology transfer, investment, and the sharing of know-how. For example, Japan, Sweden, Austria, and the Islamic Development Bank are among those contributing to Turkey’s external financing for the project, demonstrating that it is being implemented through multi-faceted cooperation. This cooperation model can serve as an example for future regional development projects.
 
The Shining Link of the Middle Corridor

Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu announced that the Kars-Iğdır-Aralık-Dilucu Railway Line will break ground this Friday, August 22. This 224-kilometer line constitutes a crucial part of the Zangezur Corridor. Minister Uraloğlu described the main features of the project as follows:

“Our railway line will have the capacity to carry 5.5 million passengers and 15 million tons of cargo per year.
We will construct the Kars-Iğdır-Aralık-Dilucu railway line as a 224-kilometer-long, double-track, electrified line with signaling systems. The project will include 5 tunnels, 19 cut-and-cover tunnels, 3 viaducts, 10 bridges, 144 underpasses, 27 overpasses, and 480 culverts.”
 
Strategic and Economic Advantages of the Zangezur Corridor for Turkey and the Region

- This railway line will provide an uninterrupted rail connection between Turkey and Azerbaijan.
- The production potential of Eastern and Southeastern Anatolia will reach foreign markets more quickly, and the tourism potential of the Mediterranean will increase.
- The line will strengthen the Trans-Caspian and North-South corridors, enhancing Eurasian supply and logistics networks and positioning Turkey at the heart of regional cooperation.
- Once operational, the Zangezur Corridor will boost economic cooperation in the South Caucasus and make the East-West route from Beijing to London function more efficiently. The cargo-carrying capacity of the Middle Corridor by both rail and road will increase.
 
Strategic Gains for Turkey

The Zangezur Corridor and its integral component, the Kars–Dilucu railway project, can be considered a strategic achievement for both Turkey and the region.

- By reconnecting historically severed lines, the corridor will function as a bridge uniting the Turkic world, making Turkey an indispensable transit country in Asia-Europe trade.
- Once completed, an uninterrupted rail connection from Beijing to London will largely become a reality. More importantly, this transport initiative could also strengthen the infrastructure for peace and stability in the region.
 
A New Era for Economic Cooperation in the South Caucasus

- After years of disputes, if parties proceed based on new principles, a new era of economic cooperation can begin in the South Caucasus.
- Of course, there are challenges ahead. To realize the corridor’s full potential, construction and management details of the section passing through Armenian territory must be finalized through mutual agreement. However, recent developments indicate that these obstacles can be overcome.
- Turkey is fulfilling its responsibilities by laying the foundation of the railway and planning to complete it within a few years.
- Once this shining segment of the Middle Corridor becomes operational, Eurasia’s logistics map will be reshaped. Located at the intersection of trade routes extending east to west and north to south, Turkey will gain economic, strategic, and political advantages.
 
The Zangezur Corridor has the potential to be a game-changing project not only for today but also for the coming decades – benefiting both Turkey and the countries of the region.

Hande Firat