The EU, as well as the Collective West, is pursuing its own interests in the South Caucasus, Hermine Mkhitaryan, an expert for the Insight analytical center, told ArmInfo as she commented on a statement by Ms Adrienn Kiraly, Director for DG NEAR Directorate C, Neighbourhood East and Institution Building, European Commission.
On May 14, at the EBRD forum "The role of South Caucasus in developing sustainable transport, trade and energy routes", Ms Adrienn Kiraly highlighted the importance of rapprochement between Armenia and Azerbaijan, as it facilitate the unblocking of regional transport links between Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey and Armenia. According to her, the Russian-Ukrainian conflict destroyed the former trade ties, which necessitated the development of trade routes between Europe and Asia that would bypass Russia.
According to the expert, the EU's main goal is to weaken Russia and create favorable conditions to ensure transport and energy communication between Europe, the Caucasus and Asia. This is the reason what the West views as highly important the communications expected to be built in Armenia. "Locally, we could speak of communication between West Azerbaijan and Nakhichevan. However, a global view of the project allows us to speak of Europe-Caucasus-Asia communication, which has been clearly stated. They are clearly stating they need a road that would have nothing in common with Russia or be under Russia n control," Ms Mkhitaryan said.
The EU's arguments that the Russian-Ukrainian conflict has disrupted the operation of many international logistic chains are nothing but a pretext. Globally, given the view of the issue by Turkiye and Azerbaijan, all the parties need the so-called 'Zangezur corridor', which is not mentioned directly. Russia needs as it seeks to establish direct ties with Armenia, the West and Armenia need it as well. The Armenian state's security is of secondary importance for the EU, however. Of importance for the EU is a route for forming the Europe-Caucasus-Asia axis bypassing Russia, but efficient operation of the route requires peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
"We are not witnessing active efforts by Ankara and Baku. All the parties wants to have a corridor, but all of them have their own views on and interests in the route," Ms Mkhitaryan said. Baku and Ankara attach high importance to this communication, which stems from the idea of re-creation of Turan and unification of the Turkic world. As to the tactics of Turkiye and Azerbaijan, it has some fine points. The states in question are not "tuned to" anti-Russian or anti-West sentiments. Rather, they seek to get a corridor, after which they would start negotiations with the sponsor-state.
Ms Mkhitaryan recalled that the idea of creating the so-called "Zangezur corridor" is not new at all. It was put forward immediately after the 2020 war. The trilateral statement by the Armenian, Azerbaijani and Russian leaders of November 9, 2020, does not contain any mention of the "Zangezur corridor". But the document emphasizes a need for restoration of economic ties that would be under Moscow's control. The West-sought goal does not imply any simplified cargo transportation procedure nor is the legal status of the road of importance for the West. However, Europe could raise the issue in the future.
As regards the position of Armenia's incumbent authorities, Ms Mkhitaryan noted that it is actually refusing the concept of the trilateral statement of November 9, 2020. The Armenian side is insisting on its sovereign right to the transport communications in Armenia's territory though the context of the trilateral statement is different.
"But there is an interesting fine point here as well. Official Yerevan is using various terms only to get the same corridor. In fact, Yerevan, using a number of terms, is repeating what Baku is saying. An example is Armenian Premier Nikol Pashinyan's statement that the Armenian side is not discussing the issues of the Zangezur corridor, but it is ready to grant communications benefits. This is evidence of the following: all the parties are interested in opening the corridor, but each one has its own interests," the experts.
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