The Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic will become one of the key links of the Middle Corridor connecting Europe with Asia, MP Parvana Valiyeva, a member of the Milli Majlis Committee on Economic Policy, Industry and Entrepreneurship, told Report.
According to her, Nakhchivan's closer integration with other regions of Azerbaijan is of strategic importance in terms of national security and economic progress.
"The specific geography of the autonomous republic and its separation from the main part of the country make it necessary to pay special attention to the security and comprehensive development of this land. Currently, Nakhchivan is being developed together with the liberated territories, Karabakh and Eastern Zangazur, based on a single development concept," she said.
Valiyeva noted that administrative reforms have been carried out in this direction, the institution of the president's special representative has been established, and structural reforms have improved governance.
According to the MP, the laying of the foundation of the Nakhchivan Industrial Park, which will become the second-largest industrial zone in the country after Sumgayit, means new jobs and economic revival.
She added that the operation of ASAN Service and DOST centers, as well as agricultural and irrigation projects, will directly serve the welfare of the population.
Valiyeva said energy security and diversification are of special importance for the autonomous republic.
"Against the backdrop of existing risks and energy crises in the region, Nakhchivan's sustainable energy supply has always been a priority. The autonomous republic has already been fully gasified, and its existing 200-megawatt generation capacity fully meets domestic demand. The construction of a new 300-megawatt thermal power plant will significantly increase generation capacity," she said.
The MP noted that Nakhchivan is also one of Azerbaijan's green energy zones.
"With the expansion of the use of electric buses and solar energy, Nakhchivan has the potential to become a net-zero carbon area by 2050, and commitments have already been made in this direction. There is solar potential of 500-1,000 megawatts here," Valiyeva said.
"After the August 8 Washington agreements, strategically important Nakhchivan, which had been isolated from the main part of Azerbaijan for more than 35 years, except for air links, will finally be connected with other territories of Azerbaijan through highways, railways and other links once the Zangazur Corridor becomes fully operational," she said.
According to the MP, this does not only mean ensuring an unobstructed and multimodal connection between Azerbaijan and Nakhchivan.
"Nakhchivan will also become one of the key links of the Middle Corridor connecting Europe with Asia. By multimodal corridor, we mean that this route will combine not only railways and highways, but also power lines, fiber-optic cables and, perhaps in the future, oil and gas pipelines. Economic activity, new jobs, tourism, trade, cultural exchange and people's welfare will increase around these routes," she said.
Valiyeva believes Nakhchivan's strategic position turns it into an irreplaceable transport and energy hub of the region.
"The Zangazur Corridor, or the TRIPP project, is a project of global importance. As for economic dividends, it is planned to transport 1.5 million tons of cargo through the corridor at the initial stage and more than 15 million tons in the future. This will lead to major economic revival and new jobs in Nakhchivan," she said.
The MP added that connecting the route with Türkiye is of great importance at both regional and global levels.
According to Valiyeva, this line, stretching from Central Asia through the Trans-Caspian route to Türkiye and then to Europe, will create an uninterrupted transport link in trade and generate significant benefits for transit countries located along the East-West and North-South transport corridors.
She noted that it is no coincidence that the European Union has also expressed interest in the project, while the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development is conducting a feasibility assessment of Nakhchivan's railways.
"The EU is interested in investing in the railway," Valiyeva said.