Implementation of trilateral statement - Peace in region comes through Zangazur Corridor - COMMENTARY

One of the critical aspects of the working visit of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev to Russia is the discussion of the situation with the implementation of the statement on ceasefire signed on November 10, 2020. President Ilham Aliyev drew attention to this issue at a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin: "And, of course, the topic of the post-conflict situation in the region. We have been in constant contact over the past eight months since the end of hostilities. I think that our personal communication in Moscow in January and by phone has played a very important role in stabilizing the situation. We are determined to ensure that the post-conflict period is as painless as possible. I think we are succeeding in that through common efforts."

The issue of the 'Zangazur Corridor' was also the main topic of discussion between the heads of states. Article 9 of the statement reads: "All economic and transport links in the region shall be restored. The Republic of Armenia guarantees the safety of transport links between the western regions of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic in order to organize an unimpeded movement of citizens, vehicles, and goods in both directions. Control over transport shall be exercised by the bodies of the Border Guard Service of the Federal Security Service (FSB) of Russia."

Unfortunately, Acting Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan distorted this article of the document he signed eight months ago, claiming that official Baku refused to open the Armenia-Georgia-Azerbaijan-Russia railway.

It is known that Armenia is an aggressor country and it has to fulfill all the provisions of the statement because it capitulated in this war. However, official Yerevan does not meet its obligations to open the Zangazur Corridor and to withdraw the military from the Azerbaijani lands under the control of Russian peacekeepers. It tries to prolong the process under various pretexts. The failure of official Yerevan to fulfill its commitments poses a problem for the development and security of the region.

Armenia has held extraordinary elections. The first session of the new parliament will take place on July 26. Nikol Pashinyan has a chance to be re-elected as prime minister as his party won majority seats in parliament. Therefore, it is unlikely that this government will face obstacles in fulfilling its November 10 commitments. Pashinyan and those who talk nonsense about the war in Armenia or issues that do not reflect the reality of Zangazur obstruct the implementation of international projects that will benefit the Armenian society. Probably, in this case, they perform the order of one of their patrons, the relations with whom are ambiguous.

In this context, the working visit of the Azerbaijani President to Russia can be considered successful in terms of assessing the implementation of the statement. It is also clear from the speeches that the meeting of the presidents was successful. Official Baku and Moscow attach importance to the opening of the Zangazur Corridor. This is reflected in the launching of railways and highways.

In fact, the implementation of the tripartite document depends on the opening of this corridor. If it is not opened, cooperation between the parties will not be possible. The fulfillment of this article of the statement will also help build trust between the parties. It will give an impetus to the settlement of the state border issue between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Recognition of the borders will accelerate the signing of a peace agreement between the parties in the future.

Therefore, the establishment of peace, security, and cooperation begins with the opening of the Zangazur Corridor. Russia's position on this vital issue can have a positive effect on the development of the region in many ways.