"There is nothing new in Maria Zakharova's statement other than Moscow encouraging Yerevan and Baku to normalize relations," remarked Matthew Bryza, an international expert and a board member of the Jamestown Foundation, who formerly served as the US ambassador to Azerbaijan. He made this statement to Ednews while commenting on Maria Zakharova's remarks regarding the Zangezur Corridor.

In recent days, Maria Zakharova, an official from the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that the Zangezur Corridor plays a crucial role in regulating relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan. She also highlighted that there is an ongoing consideration of a project to restore the transport route connecting Azerbaijan with the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic through Armenian territory. She stated, "In the implementation of this project, we see the potential for significant progress towards the normalization of relations between Yerevan and Baku. Everything depends on the political will of the countries and their readiness to reach concrete agreements."

The former ambassador mentioned that the call for the Zangezur Corridor is already part of the negotiating framework brokered by President Putin. He explained, "In the November 10 ceasefire statement that Prime Minister Pashinyan and President Aliyev signed, which Putin himself also signed, there is a call for the establishment of the Zangezur Corridor. Additionally, on January 11, 2021, a trilateral agreement was signed by the national leaders of Russia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia to cooperate on large-scale infrastructure projects, especially in transportation. This is an example of long-standing Russian policy."

Bryza believes that the most important steps toward opening the Zangezur Corridor would involve President Aliyev and Prime Minister Pashinyan reaching a peace treaty between Azerbaijan and Armenia and demarcating the international border between the two countries. He added, "The reason why the Armenian side hasn't proceeded with the Zangezur Corridor is that there are many people, opponents of Pashinyan, who want the conflict to continue and dream of fighting another war. Eventually, who knows when, in one year, ten years, or even a hundred years, they may try to regain territories from other countries, such as Azerbaijan and Turkey, in an attempt to resurrect the medieval state of Greater Armenia. These individuals will remain a part of Armenian politics for a long time. However, they will be unable to take any substantive actions once a peace treaty is established between Azerbaijan and Armenia, and the border is demarcated."

According to him, the significance of the Zangezur Corridor is evident: "Maria Zakharova stated that it could help normalize relations between Yerevan and Baku. Additionally, the Zangezur Corridor will create various new patterns of economic cooperation, not only in terms of transportation but also by attracting investment that will create jobs and economic growth, benefiting both Armenians and Azerbaijanis."

Ulviyya Shahin