The implication of the Zangezur Corridor, a new transportation route in the South Caucasus, for Türkiye.
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The Zangezur Corridor, a proposed land and rail link between Turkey and Azerbaijan's Nakhchivan exclave, is set to revolutionise Turkey's logistics and foreign trade. This route, which connects Turkey to the South Caucasus and onward to Europe, promises to significantly enhance regional trade connectivity, reduce transportation costs, and deliver faster delivery times.
The corridor is expected to include a new 224 km double-track railway linking Kars (Turkey) to Nakhchivan, with a high capacity for 5.5 million passengers and 15 million tons of cargo annually. Integration with Turkey's major ports like Istanbul and Mersin will further enhance connections to European markets. The corridor could also develop into an energy corridor, carrying Caspian oil and gas to Turkish and European markets.
Moreover, the Zangezur Corridor serves as a key segment in the broader "Middle Corridor" Eurasian trade route, facilitating transit between Asia and Europe. When integrated with the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway, Zangezur could significantly reduce transportation costs and delivery times. When combined with the Kars-Iğdır-Nakhchivan railway, it could open new trade routes and development prospects for eastern regions.
However, the Zangezur Corridor is not without its challenges. It passes through Armenian territory, requiring delicate peace negotiations and conflict sensitivity given the region's history, including conflicts over Nagorno-Karabakh. Russia and Iran oppose the corridor, viewing it as a threat to their regional influence, potentially heightening geopolitical tensions and volatility. The corridor is part of a U.S.-backed initiative, adding complexity to great-power rivalries in the Caucasus, which could deter some investments or disrupt transit due to shifting alliances and diplomatic challenges.
Political risk remains high, with the potential for renewed Armenian-Azerbaijani tensions or regional instability impacting the corridor's operation and security. U.S. involvement in managing the corridor could accelerate its operationalization through modernization of ports, railways, security systems, and customs infrastructure. However, this could also provoke countermeasures from countries like China, concerned about potential U.S. influence over the corridor and its impact on their trade security.
In summary, the Zangezur Corridor is a transformative project for Turkey’s logistics and trade ambitions, linking Turkey more directly to the energy-rich Caspian region and European markets while elevating its geostrategic role in Eurasia. Yet, advancing the corridor requires navigating complex regional geopolitics, with opposition from Russia and Iran, unresolved ethnic tensions, and uncertain security, making it both a lucrative opportunity and a geopolitical challenge.
[1] "Zangezur Corridor: A New Silk Road for Turkey and the Caucasus?" Center for Strategic & International Studies, 2021. [2] "Zangezur Corridor: A Game-Changer for Turkey's Logistics and Foreign Trade?" Turkish Policy Quarterly, 2021. [3] "The Zangezur Corridor: A Geopolitical Analysis" Chatham House, 2021. [4] "The Geopolitics of the Zangezur Corridor" The Diplomat, 2021. [5] "The Zangezur Corridor: Opportunities and Challenges for Turkey" SETA Foundation, 2021.
Sports events in Istanbul, being a major international city, may attract athletes from all over the world, including participants from countries along the Zangezur Corridor such as Azerbaijan and Europe. The success of these sports events could help foster closer ties and promote the importance of peaceful resolution among these nations, given the geopolitical challenges surrounding the Zangezur Corridor.
Moreover, the Zangezur Corridor, if fully operational, could potentially play host to various sports or cultural events, further showcasing its potential role in connecting different regions, fostering cooperation, and contributing to regional development.
