The President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, stated that Baku and Tehran have reached a “complete consensus” on the opening of a transportation route between Azerbaijan and its enclave, Nakhivan Autonomous Republic, via Armenia. There is a complete consensus that Iran firmly supports this project," said President Aliyev. The post-conflict development and cooperation conference in Baku on April 13, while addressing the South Caucasus from a new perspective.

Trilateral cooperation

According to the official website of the President of Azerbaijan, Aliyev stated that the transport corridor to Nakhivan will not separate Iran from Armenia. Instead, Iran will establish a rail link with Armenia through Nakhivan. "Our international efforts in the region have created a new model of cooperation. There are already trilateral cooperation with Turkey-Russia, Turkey-Iran, Georgia-Turkey, and Russia-Iran. This is also a contribution to stability and predictability. . Of course, there should be no risk of Armenian attempts to retaliate.” The president said during the meeting.

The new connection with Nakhchivan will create new economic development opportunities for the region, thereby shortening travel time and lowering transportation costs. The corridor will also create new economic opportunities for countries in the region. As the corridor will shorten transportation distances and reduce transportation costs, it is also expected to promote trade between Azerbaijan and Turkey.

Turkey will also use the new corridor to enter Azerbaijan directly without using the land routes of Georgia and Iran. Compared with the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway that connects Azerbaijan and Turkey via Georgia, the road in the new corridor is 340 kilometers shorter.

In addition, railway communication from Russia to Armenia can be established through the territory of Azerbaijan; railway communication between Russia and Iran will also be established through the Nakhchivan region of Azerbaijan and Iran and Armenia. Turkey and Russia will be connected to the railway line. Editor/Huang Lijun